Since centuries ago, thegreen clay is known and used for its beauty benefits. It is considered one of nature's most precious treasures in terms of skincare. Clay masks are a natural and effective alternative to cosmetic treatments used for the skin or hair, and a natural and environmentally friendly solution.
Suitable for all skin types and all hair qualities, there are several recipes based on green clay, the most well-known being illite green clay and montmorillonite green clay. Illite green clay has soothing properties for the skin, while montmorillonite green clay, which is more absorbent and purifying, is preferred for deeply eliminating impurities and sebum. The main difference lies in their abilities to absorb and purify the skin.
In this article, we will reveal our secret recipes for green clay masks that will transform your skincare and haircare routines. Get ready to discover the (super)natural powers of this natural material.
How to make a green clay mask ?
Here is an easy recipe using natural ingredients to make a green clay mask at home, suitable for combination to oily skin. Be careful never to use metal utensils with clay, as this disrupts its properties. Prefer using a wooden spoon to mix the mask to best preserve its benefits for the skin.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons ofgreen Montmorillonite clay
- 2 tablespoons of mineral water
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (for its astringent action)
- 3 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)
Preparation:
- In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix the Montmorillonite green clay with the mineral water until you obtain a smooth and thick paste.
- Add fresh lemon juice for its astringent action, which helps to tighten enlarged pores on the skin.
- If you wish, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil, which has refreshing properties that can help reduce sebum production and give the skin a fresh feeling.
Application:
- Gently cleanse your face to remove all impurities before applying the mask.
- Apply the Montmorillonite green clay mask to your face, avoiding the eye and lip areas.
- Let the mask sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. You may feel a slight tightening sensation during this time.
- Next, rinse the mask thoroughly with lukewarm water, using gentle circular motions to lightly exfoliate the skin.
- Finish by applying a light moisturizing cream or a hydrating gel specifically designed for combination to oily skin.
This Montmorillonite green clay mask is ideal for regulating sebum secretion, purifying the skin, and preventing acne problems. Use this mask once or twice a week to maintain your skin's balance.
Our recipe for a green clay hair mask
Green clay is known for its purifying and revitalizing properties for hair. We are going to share our special homemade recipe using clay to achieve radiant hair:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of green clay in powder form (or you can use our Rassal clay which is suitable for all hair types and is very effective for cleaning both hair and even the skin
- 3 tablespoons of warm water (adjust the amount to achieve the desired consistency)
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (to balance the scalp's pH)
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or argan oil (to nourish the hair)
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil or your choice of fragrance (optional)
Preparation:
- In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix the green clay powder with warm water to obtain a smooth and thick paste. Make sure to mix well to avoid lumps.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to the mixture. Its function is to leave the hair shiny.
- Next, incorporate the coconut oil or argan oil of your choice into your mixture.
- If you wish, add a few drops of lavender essential oil or an essential oil of your choice to scent the mask and enjoy its relaxing properties.
Application:
- Wet your hair with warm water to open the cuticles.
- Distribute the mask evenly over your hair, starting from the roots and working your way down to the tips. Make sure to cover all of your hair thoroughly.
- Gently massage your scalp to stimulate blood circulation and promote nutrient absorption.
- Let the mask sit for 20 to 30 minutes while wrapping it in a warm towel to aid absorption (otherwise, you can leave it without a towel).
- Rinse the mask thoroughly with lukewarm water and make sure there are no more clay residues in your hair.
Our Green Clay Mask Recipe for Acne
We have seen recipes for hair masks, for oily skin, and now it's time for acne-prone skin. Here is our recipe for making a homemade green clay mask specifically designed to help treat acne-prone skin issues:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons ofgreen Illite clay
- 1 tablespoon of rose water to soothe the skin
- 1 teaspoon of raw honey
- 3 drops of tea tree essential oil (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
Preparation:
- In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix the green clay powder with rose water until you obtain a smooth and thick paste.
- Add the raw honey to the mixture. Honey has antibacterial properties that help reduce the appearance of acne and soothe the skin.
- If you wish, you can add a few drops of tea tree essential oil, as this oil is known for its anti-acne properties.
- As an optional step, you can add lemon juice for its astringent properties. Make sure you do not have any cuts or wounds on your skin, as the lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation.
Application:
- Gently cleanse your face to remove all impurities before applying the mask.
- Apply the green clay mask to your face, avoiding the eye and lip areas.
- Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Then rinse the mask thoroughly with lukewarm water, using gentle circular motions to lightly exfoliate the skin.
- You can apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.
What is the best clay to fight acne ?
Experts agree that green clay is the best clay used to combat acne, particularly illite green clay, which is often considered one of the best clays for eliminating those unpleasant small pimples from the skin. This characteristic is due to the fact that green clay has very strong absorbent properties, meaning it can absorb excess sebum, which is the main cause of acne, by unclogging pores blocked by sebum, impurities, and dead skin cells. This is why it is particularly recommended for people with acne-prone skin.
This natural green substance has antibacterial properties that help eliminate the bacteria responsible for acne, which can reduce inflammation and acne breakouts. Additionally, it can exfoliate the skin by removing dead cells from the surface and soothe it.
It is important to know that excessive use of green clay can cause excessive drying of the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to use it as a mask once a week and follow up with appropriate hydration to maintain the skin's balance.
Our recipe for a green clay mask for facial wrinkles
Not only is green clay considered one of the best masks for reducing acne, but it can also diminish facial wrinkles. Yes, indeed! This green powder has become the essential ingredient that women use in homemade masks. Here is our special anti-wrinkle mask recipe that helps rejuvenate and firm your skin:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of green clay powder
- 2 tablespoons of rose water
- 1 tablespoon of argan oil
- 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt
- 3 drops of rose essential oil
Preparation:
- Mix the green clay powder with rose water in a bowl until you obtain a smooth and thick paste.
- Add argan oil to the mixture. It is used in this recipe because it is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidant vitamin E, making it an excellent anti-aging ingredient.
- Next, incorporate the plain yogurt into the mixture to gently exfoliate the skin and leave a feeling of hydration.
- Add a few drops of rose essential oil at the end for its anti-aging properties and pleasant fragrance.
Application:
- As mentioned in the previous skin mask recipes, skin cleansing is always done before applying any mask to remove all impurities.
- Apply your anti-aging green clay mask to your face, avoiding the eye and lip areas.
- Then let the mask sit for about 15 minutes. You may feel a slight tightening sensation during this time.
- Rinse the mask thoroughly with lukewarm water using gentle circular motions to lightly exfoliate the skin.
- Finish by applying an anti-aging moisturizing cream to seal in the hydration and enhance the benefits of the mask.
What are the benefits of a green clay mask ?
Green clay masks offer numerous benefits for the skin due to their natural properties. This natural powder is suitable for all skin types, and particularly for oily skin, because of its anti-acne effects. Here are some of the most commonly associated advantages of using green clay masks:
Purification and exfoliation of the skin: Green clay is a beauty treatment known for its absorbent action. It has the ability to eliminate excess sebum, impurities, and toxins from the skin; in summary, it purifies the skin of all imperfections. This green kaolin tends to contract as it dries on the skin, thereby helping to gently exfoliate it by removing dead cells from the surface.
Skin firming: Thanks to its richness in minerals, green clay helps to firm the skin and improve its elasticity. This is why this anti-aging mask is an ally for older women and men.
Pore reduction: Thanks to its exfoliating power, this mask has the ability to deeply cleanse the pores, making them appear less visible. Green clay can also give your skin a glow, making it more luminous and revitalized with regular use of this mask, thus offering you a fresh and radiant complexion.
Relief of skin irritations: Green clay can be used to relieve various skin problems thanks to its soothing properties. These skin problems can include itching, mild sunburn, and rashes.
Reduction of inflammation: If you suffer from redness or skin problems, green clay is the ideal ingredient due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has the ability to soothe irritated and inflamed skin.
Why shouldn't you let clay dry on your skin ?
Despite all the benefits of the green clay mask we discussed earlier, it does have one small drawback: DEHYDRATION! However, this is not a sufficient reason to abandon our clay mask, as this minor issue has a solution. Indeed, the clay mask can absorb a significant amount of moisture from the skin, which can subsequently lead to temporary dehydration. In my opinion, this is a mistake that most women make when applying this mask, because, remember this phrase: You should never let the clay mask dry completely on your skin ! In this case, it may cause a sensation of dry and tight skin, and even worsen certain skin problems. Occasionally spray floral water on your face to prevent it from drying out. When the mask starts to harden but is not yet dry to the touch, it is generally the ideal time to remove it, not forgetting to regularly moisturize your skin.