Cosmetic clays are successfully used in modern cosmetology as part of many products intended for face and body care. The range of their use in cosmetics, natural medicine and pharmacy is incredibly wide. They are known for their beneficial effects on problem skin; the most popular are their cleansing, bactericidal, detoxifying and stimulating properties.
Cosmetic clays – what are they?
Clays form deep in the earth over centuries. They are mined from the depths and from the bottom of seas and oceans. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they contain microelements that are well absorbed by humans.
Additional Information! Clay is a powdered mineral; it is a medicinal and cosmetic raw material with bactericidal, mineralizing and healing properties.
The types and effectiveness of clays are related to their structure, as well as the mineral salts that give them their color.
There is a wide range of clays. Main types: white, red, pink, yellow, green and black clay. It is enough to combine them with water to obtain a preparation ready for application to the skin.
Properties of cosmetic clays
They are intended for self-preparing products for daily care of all skin types, especially problem skin. To obtain a face and body mask, soap or cream, combine cosmetic clay with hydrosol, cosmetic oil, essential oil or plant extract with the desired properties.
When combined with the right amount of liquid, it turns into a thick paste, ready for use.
Cosmetic clays contain:
- silicon;
- aluminum;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- iron;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- selenium;
- zinc;
- copper, etc.
Cosmetic clay includes many micro- and macroelements important for the body. Natural clay does not irritate or dry the skin. It is safe even for allergy sufferers when used in its pure form without additives. In addition, they restore the correct pH of the skin.
How to use cosmetic clay?
On the shelves of pharmacies there are ready-made products that can be immediately applied to the face and body. You can also find them in powder form.
Note! Clay is used externally in the form of compresses that accelerate the healing of wounds, ulcers and boils. They can also be used as an addition to skin care products to detoxify and cleanse the skin.
Which cosmetic clay should I choose for my face? They may differ in mineral composition. The color of clay depends on the elements it contains. When using clay masks, it is very important to avoid drying them out on your face. This can be avoided by spraying it with water, hydrosol or thermal water. In addition, metal utensils for mixing raw materials are avoided, since this material neutralizes the beneficial properties of the resulting mask.
Cosmetic clays are increasingly being used to care for the scalp. They are mixed with water to obtain a homogeneous paste-like consistency and then applied to the scalp. After this, wash off with shampoo. The effect of this is to cleanse the scalp, add volume and slow down hair loss.
Types of cosmetic clays and applications
There are different types of clay, the most popular ones being.
What skin is white clay for?
White clay (kaolin) is extremely rich in aluminum silicate and numerous trace elements such as silicon, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium and mineral salts. Used as an ingredient in cosmetics intended to care for dry and sensitive skin, as well as tired skin with signs of aging. Gently tightens pores, nourishes and smoothes the skin. It has cleansing properties, but at the same time deeply moisturizes.
It is successfully used to produce masks. Has a calming effect, improving skin tone without causing irritation. Silicon regulates the secretion of sebum, iron is involved in the synthesis of collagen, accelerates the regeneration of damaged cells. The aluminum it contains absorbs toxins, calcium stimulates cell regeneration and moisturizes the skin. Kaolin is also recommended for hair and scalp care, as it strengthens hair follicles, which become brittle over time.
Red clay cosmetics
Red clay owes its color to the content of valuable iron oxide. Contains large amounts of silicon, iron and aluminum, as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, titanium and manganese.
It has a beneficial effect on skin with rosacea, cleanses it perfectly, and is also considered a natural antifungal drug. Smoothes wrinkles and improves skin color. Used in the care of oily, combination, sensitive and rosacea skin, in the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea. Also used as an ingredient in creams, gels, shampoos and masks for face and body.
Green clay for face
The characteristic color of green clay is due to the presence of ferrous iron ions. Contains many micro- and macroelements, has antibacterial properties, disinfects the skin, and promotes wound healing. The high mineral content of green clay reduces sebum production, strengthens, oxygenates the skin, brightens, reduces fine wrinkles and evens out color.
Green clay is recommended for combination, normal and oily skin. Clay contains elements such as: silicon, potassium, mineral oxides, magnesium, manganese, dolomite, copper, selenium and phosphorus.
Used in skincare procedures and professional cosmetics for the treatment of acne vulgaris. It is added to care cosmetics intended for problem skin, mainly masks and scrubs, as well as creams and cleansers. This is an important ingredient in creams and masks that slow down the aging process of the skin, during anti-cellulite procedures,
Has a strengthening effect on hair follicles: reduces their fragility, giving hair shine. Add clay to shampoo or create a mask in the form of a paste and distribute it over the entire scalp.
Pink clay for whom?
Pink clay is made from a combination of white and red clays in specially selected proportions. It contains a high concentration of silicon and aluminum oxide, as well as other valuable trace elements. Used in the care of sensitive skin prone to allergies, giving it radiance and a healthy appearance.
It combines the properties of red and white clay: it gently exfoliates dead skin, removes toxins and prevents water loss through the skin. Perfectly cares for normal skin and nourishes hair, works great as an additive to creams.
Blue clay
Recommended for the care of sensitive and oily skin, it is classified as a medicinal raw material. It contains 39 elements, including: silicon, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.
It cleanses the skin and absorbs sebum, making it easier for the skin to absorb minerals. Therefore, it is worth using it to treat acne. In addition, it accelerates the regeneration of the epidermis and smoothes out wrinkles. When regularly applied to the body, blue clay helps fight cellulite, strengthens and smoothes. Prevents hair loss and has anti-dandruff properties.
Yellow clay: properties
Yellow clay (bentonite) contains valuable trace elements and mineral salts (including a high concentration of iron), which makes it an excellent component for regenerating preparations.
Yellow clay, rich in iron oxide, is excellent for caring for acne, oily and combination skin, mature and insufficiently elastic skin. Gently exfoliates, removes dead epidermis, cleanses, regenerates and nourishes the skin.
It has anti-inflammatory properties, accelerates skin healing, reduces sebum production. It stimulates blood circulation, rids the skin of toxins, making it more oxygenated and radiant. If you add yellow clay to your hair cosmetics, it will reduce dandruff, hair breakage and hair loss.
Recipes for face masks with cosmetic clay
Clays have been valued and used for centuries. The healing properties of clays are primarily due to the rich content of mineral salts, which have the ability to absorb toxin particles.
The most famous form of their use is masks, but they can also be found in decorative cosmetics: powders, foundations, foundations, as well as in shampoos, soaps, deodorants, creams and much more.
Natural cosmetic clays are used in combination with pure water or herbal infusion, depending on the intended use. What you need to do is mix a little clay with mineral water or floral hydrosol and get a homogeneous mass, to which you can add a few drops of oil, for example, argan, macadamia, jojoba.
The prepared paste is applied to clean skin and left for 15-20 minutes, then washed off with warm water. To prevent the mask from drying out, it is advisable to cover your face with a damp compress.