Clay, we all know. She is the quintessential beauty mask. It’s this all-purpose greenish earth that we often let sleep in the back of a closet before pulling it out once every bishop dies to make a mask when our skin is playing the calculus game… Except clay, it’s not just that… no sir! There are as many clays as there are beauty ailments. Just find clay for your skin. After that, you can use it at will and at a good price!
We explain everything in this article…
What exactly is clay?
Clay is a rocky material composed primarily of silica. You can find it in various colors but the most famous is green for its high mineral content. It is taken from the source before being dried in the sun and then reduced to powder. It is one of the oldest materials used by man (ceramics, construction, bricks, etc.) but it is also very famous for its detoxifying properties for the body, in short, an ideal cosmetic treatment for skin and hair. Clay is also used for medicinal purposes, but here we will focus mainly on the wonders they do for the beauty of the body…
What clay is made for me?
As seen above, there are many clays. You will see that each skin has its own clay color! By the way, if you haven’t defined your skin type yet, here it is.
Note : Here we make a small selection for you, but keep in mind that there are many other colors of clay. That said, trust us, with these you will have a lot to do…
White clay
Its white color is explained by its high percentage of alumina as well as its low iron content.
White clay is possibly one of the softest. It is therefore the one you need if you have especially sensitive and reactive skin. It is used as a mask to purify and restore radiance to your skin without irritating it. On the hair, it helps calm the scalp and smooth the lengths. White clay also favors the elimination of dandruff and considerably helps to soothe itching .
green mud
As we have seen, green clay is undoubtedly the best known and most used. It would be green due to the reduction of ferric acids in its composition. A bit complex… For the chemists who pass through here, do not hesitate to tell us a little more in the comments!
This clay will be perfect for you if you have oily skin or a scalp that regresses at the speed of light… It contains sediments that allow it to have a very strong absorption capacity, which makes it ideal for fighting acne and regulating excess tallow . Instead, if you have sensitive skin, go your way because green clay can dry out your skin.
Red clay
Red clay is distinguished, as its name suggests, by its color that can range from red to brown due to its high iron content. Red clay is the one you absolutely need. if your skin suffers from redness or if you are simply looking for an attractive mask! It illuminates the complexion and gives beautiful bronzed reflections . For hair, it will be perfect. to restore volume and shine to the hair of dark-haired and red-haired men.
yellow clay
It is yellow in color because it comes from a soil rich in iron oxide. It is the best ally for combination to oily skin! Green clay will be a good compromise if you want to treat excess sebum in the T-zone (forehead + nose + chin) but very gently… Yellow clay will also be very useful for lightening blemishes.
blue clay
Blue clay is undoubtedly the rarest. Extracted directly from French quarries and then dried in the open air, it gets its pastel blue color from its richness in silica and natural pigments. It promotes the regeneration of skin tissue, which makes it an excellent anti-aging ally . Blue clay is also very interesting in the Detoxifying Anti -Pollution Mask as it deeply cleanses accumulated impurities and toxins (pollution, tobacco, stress, etc.). For men with long hair, it allows to sheath the fiber and untangle the lengths very tender!
pink clay
Pink clay comes from the mixture of white clay and red clay. Therefore, it gathers all its properties. Pink clay will be especially suitable for sensitive skin . Applied as a facial mask, it gently purifies your face and obtain a complexion as fresh as morning dew from the first use. It is also very useful for cleansing weakened scalps .
How is clay used?
Keep in mind that clay can come in many different forms on the market. Most of the time, it will be sold as a powder or ready to use. If you don’t want to rack your brain, you’ll prefer the ready-to-use dough, but keep in mind that it will be a bit more expensive. For example, at Argiletz, count €5.50 for a 150 gram tube of ready-to-use green clay and €7.30 for 1 kilo of powdered green clay.
How to form a clay powder paste?
If you opt for powdered clay, you will have to form the dough yourself. No rocket science, don’t worry… You’ll need a small container, a spoon, and some water. Avoid plastic or metal utensils that, due to chemical reaction, tend to cause the clay to lose some of its nutrients, so beneficial for the skin.
Start slowly by pouring a few teaspoons of clay into your container and adding a little water. Mix and add water if needed to form a paste, not too runny but easy to work with nonetheless. Once your paste is ready, it’s time to apply it.
How to apply the clay on the skin and hair?
On the face, you can simply apply your clay with your finger or a brush. On the hair, apply the clay from the roots to the lengths, but especially not on the ends, as there is a risk of drying them out. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. When you see the clay dry out on certain areas of your skin or scalp, moisten it to reactivate the clay. The ideal is to do it with floral water to maximize the benefits. Yes, contrary to popular belief, don’t let the clay dry out . To benefit from its minerals, it is important that it remains moist.
Where can I find the clay I need?
You can easily find your clay in organic stores, parapharmacies or directly online. If you prefer to use clay in small touches, you should know that DH Comestics offers many clay beauty treatments (hair wax, cleansing mask, hair mask, etc.).