Here’s one thing you’ve probably been doing wrong all this time. You should never let a clay mask dry fully, that just means it’s sucking out all the moisture from your skin. Despite how tempting it may be to leave it on while you’re catching up on your Instagram feed, when it starts getting lighter in colour and still a bit sticky, wash it off so you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable tightness.
Clay masks have been used as a skin decongestant and antibiotic for centuries due to their porous and highly absorbent nature, and are a must-have for oily or acne-prone skin. Clay has the ability to draw out toxins from within the body and from the surface of the skin. Various therapeutic clays, especially bentonite clay can effectively bind to heavy metals like mercury, lead and other environmental pollutants and eliminate them from the body’s tissues. Other than drawing out toxins, clay is a natural substance that is rich in beautifying minerals including calcium, silica, iron and potassium, which can strengthen skin and even balance sebum-moisture levels.
Bentonite clay possesses the strongest ability to detoxify the skin, absorb and draw out impurities from the skin. It also keeps bacteria at bay and promote blood circulation to the surface of the skin. On the other hand, kaolin clay is the gentlest, making it great for those with sensitive or irritation-prone skin. Moreover, clay masks have evolved greatly over the years and are no longer as drying, harsh or pungent as they used to be. Natural essential oils, glycerin, antioxidants and shea butter are often added to nourish, soothe and hydrate skin. So there’s really no reason not to get masking and give your skin an intense, deep cleanse.
