For centuries, clay has played a crucial role in our skincare routine. From absorbing excess oils and detoxifying pores to fighting acne, clay masks have helped many people have radiant and more youthful complexion. But what exactly are clay masks, how do they work and what are their benefits? In this article, we will answer these crucial questions to help you know more about clay masks.
What are clay masks?
Clay facial masks are face masks made of a unique type of clay that is believed to help absorb bacteria and oil, leaving you with cleaner and clearer skin. Clay masks are beneficial to people who want to have tighter and younger-looking skin.
How do clay masks work?
Clay masks have a negative PH while the skin has a slightly positive PH. When you wear a clay mask, a difference in PH is created, which, in turn, helps to remove impurities from your skin to the clay. Most toxins, bacteria and heavy metals are positively charged molecules. On the other hand, clay masks are negatively charged. When clay masks are applied to the skin, the two bind together and during the process of washing the clay from the face, the drawn-out toxins, bacteria, and heavy metals are removed from the skin.
Surprising clay masks benefits
1. They help to treat dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis
As mentioned earlier, clay masks have a negative charge that binds with harmful bacteria, pathogens, and toxins and removes them from your skin. When you apply wet clay on your face and leave it to dry, it binds the bacteria and brings it to the surface of the skin where it is then washed away. This helps to reduce the crowding of pathogenic bacteria that is responsible for a myriad of skin problems, including eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. In other words, clay masks act as natural antibiotics by treating infections. In fact, they are more effective than most antibiotics because they get rid of pathogenic bacteria and promote healthy skin thus remedying issues like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
2. They unclog the pores
Clogged pores are the skin's worst nightmare, they not only prevent your skin care products from penetrating deeper into the skin but also make your foundation patchy. One surprising benefit of clay masks is that they help to unclog the pores as well as remove impurities, leaving you with softer smoother skin. By opening up your pores, clay masks help to prevent acne and blackheads that are mainly caused by bacteria and oil clogging your skin pores.
3. They prevent the production of excess oil
Clay masks help to prevent the production of excess oil. They absorb any excess oil produced by the skin. Clay masks are therefore a great pick for people with oily skin. They absorb oil, dirt, and impurities, leaving you with glowing skin.
4. They detoxify and purify the skin
Clay has potent detoxifying properties. As mentioned earlier, they have a strong negative charge that binds negatively charged bacteria and toxins and removes them from the skin. They help to detoxify and purify the skin by getting rid of environmental pollutants, heavy metals, nanoparticles, chemicals, and much more leaving your skin clean, oxygenated, rejuvenated and less inflamed.
5. They help to oxygenate the cells
Besides getting rid of toxins and impurities from the skin, clay masks also help to oxygenate the cells by pulling out hydrogen from the skin cells. This, in turn, creates more room for oxygen to move around the skin tissues and revitalize them. Improved circulation of oxygen on skin tissues also contributes to healthier skin.
6. They help to regulate the production of sebum
The skin naturally produces oil to prevent it from harm. This oil is known as sebum. When your immune system is heightened because of stress, toxic overload, or infection, the skin can produce more than the required sebum causing skin conditions such as acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. While treating sebum imbalance is accomplished through lifestyle changes and changes in diet, clay masks also play a crucial role in regulating sebum production. Clay masks help to clean pores that have been blocked by excess oil. They also get rid of excess sebum.
7. They help to improve your skin tone
Skin tone imbalances are mainly caused by liver toxicity and pore melanin production. Clay masks can help improve your skin tone by getting rid of both internal and external toxins. They help to remove dead skin cells, enrich them with silica and reduce inflammation, which, in turn, helps to improve your skin tone and texture.