Sanbe Beauty’s December DIY Beauty Pouch includes Five (5) Facial Clays and thirteen (13) natural Additives that can boost the appearance & complexion of the skin. We also included a beautiful face clay brush to ease the application of the finished clay mask. Our Facial Masks are formulated to create a gentle skin-softening yet detoxifying experience.
One of our favorite clay recipes is where we use a blend of vegan coconut milk powder to soften and soothe, Rose clay and Kaolin clay for gentle detoxification, organic Chamomile powder to soothe irritated skin, and rosehip powder for all its potent skin brightening power. This mask is gentle yet effective. For all skin types.
One of the most satisfying aspects of using a clay mask is that you can see and feel the results instantly. And with prolonged use the results will improve, ensuring your pore size stays to a minimum and breakouts decrease in frequency and size. You’ll also notice an improvement in texture, skin tone, and an overall healthy glow!
The use of clay to treat the skin dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations all over the world. Though the ritual of using a clay face mask is not a modern concept, it is one powerful skincare practice that has withstood the test of time and is still used as an active cosmetic ingredient across all skincare categories.
Cosmetic clays have long been known to provide a variety of beneficial properties for all skin types. However, there are many different kinds to choose from and an assortment of reasons why you want each.
Benefits of using Clay
* Anti-Bacterial: Help with Eczema, Dermatitis & Psoriasis * Detoxifies & Purifies the Skin
* Oxygenates the Cells * Unclogs and Shrinks Skin Pores
* Regulates Sebum Production * Softer, Smoother & Glowing Skin
* Rejuvenates & Regenerates the Skin * Improves Skin Tone
TYPES OF CLAY
BENTONITE CLAY - composed of volcanic ash sediments that have been weathered over a long period of time. Sodium bentonite clay is known for its swelling properties, as it acts like a sponge when mixed with water. This clay is very popular for facial masks, foot baths, or bath soaking blends.
Bentonite clay is one of the most popular, abundant, and powerful healing clays. Bentonite draws out oil and impurities, unclogs and shrinks pores, and heals acne while tightening and toning the skin.
RHASSOUL CLAY - a fine, red-colored clay from Morocco that has been used for centuries in the realm of natural skincare. While it will still absorb oils from the skin, it is much gentler than many other clays and is typically recommended for more sensitive or mature skin types.
Rhassoul has been prized for its therapeutic benefits for more than 1400 years! It is a staple at many spas around the world. This mineral-rich ancient clay has a greater ability to absorb excess oil, draw out toxins and clear clogged pores, and is even gentle enough for individuals with highly sensitive skin. It improves elasticity, exfoliates dead skin, and stimulates circulation.
KAOLIN CLAY - is not as absorbent as other clays, making it appropriate for skin that tends to be drier or more sensitive. Often, this clay is found as an ingredient in mineral makeup.
Kaolin is one of the most versatile and widely used clays. It gently exfoliates, cleanses, and stimulates the skin. And because it blends so well with water, it’s used in everything from masks to cleansers.
The mildest of all clays, white kaolin is less absorbent than other varieties ( it doesn’t draw oils from the skin) and is extremely moisturizing, making it perfect for those with sensitive, aging, and dry skin.
PINK KAOLIN - A mix of red and white clays, pink kaolin is mildly detoxifying and exfoliating; it increases circulation and reduces irritation and inflammation — making it ideal for normal and combination complexions.
FRENCH FREEN CLAY - is sometimes called sea clay and is by far one of the most majestic, most effective, and most commonly used mineral skin clays found in the world. It contains a cornucopia of valuable elements. Green clay owes its coloration to two very important factors: iron oxide and decomposed plant matter.
SKIN TYPES
There’s just something magical about mixing up a clay face mask, applying it to your face, kicking your feet up, and relaxing while it works. It’s high on my list of favorite self-care acts. But you don’t want to overdo it with clay masks. Depending on your skin type is a good indicator of how often to use a clay mask.
- If you have oily skin more prone to breakouts and acne, apply a clay mask and leave on for 15 minutes and no more than two times a week. *Pro Tip - They’re more effective if you don’t let them dry completely.
- If your skin is sensitive or dry you need to watch out for facial masks that could stress your skin. One that has oatmeal may help to de-stress sensitive skin. Applying a face mask more than once a week can dry out your skin even more.
- If your skin is mature a facial mask that hydrates and evens skin tone is helpful. If you use an anti-aging mask, apply it no more than once a week.
- If you have combination skin then your skin usually feels oily in the T-zone (the area that includes your forehead, nose, and chin) but dry everywhere else. We recommend to use an oily skin mask only in your T-zone 2-3 times a week, while using a dry skin mask on the dry skin areas only once a week.
You also want to consider the weather. Skin tends to be dryer in the winter than in the summer. You can safely use a moisturizing mask several times a week in the winter. On the other hand, your skin may need more oil control in the heat of summer.
MIX IT UP - what liquid to use?
The biggest struggle is figuring out what is the best liquid to mix your mask with. The magic in clay masks is that they can be customized based on individual skin types and the beauty concerns you are looking to tackle.
A mask is most potent when its first activated. When you mix your clay mask with a liquid, it is activated in that instant, ready to be applied.
There are so many choices of liquids to blend with your clay. Water is always an option but a few other options are mentioned below.
Apple Cider Vinegar - It doesn’t smell good but it works wonders on hair and skin. The malic acid in it makes apple cider vinegar a great nonabrasive exfoliant and astringent. It also restores pH and soothes itchy, dry skin. Be sure to dilute ACV with water in a 1:2 solution (1 part ACV to 2 parts water).
Rosewater — A byproduct of rose essential oil production, made from distilling fresh flower petals with water. Rosewater balances all skin types, helps retain moisture, soothes redness, and is a mild astringent and antibacterial. It can be used on even the most sensitive or dry skin. Uplifting and anxiety-erasing, rosewater is emotionally beneficial too!
Lemon Juice — The juice and rind of lemons are rich in antibacterial phytochemicals and circulation-boosting citric acid. As a possible skin irritant, lemon juice should be used diluted. It evens skin tone, brightens and lightens skin and hair, reduces blotchiness, and is a non-abrasive exfoliant. Citrus aromas are also wonderful mood lifters! Do not use if you have very dry, sun- or wind-burned, or sensitive skin.
Aloe Vera Juice — The juice or gel from the aloe vera plant offers soothing, deep-penetrating treatment for irritated or inflamed skin. This substance is an effective treatment for acne and acne scars, sunburns and eczema. Aloe can be combined with other natural ingredients to make effective DIY face masks. Great for all skin types.
Natural Additives
Natural additives lend their own special qualities by adding nature's own nutrients that can provide the skin with a boost of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, brightening and many other benefits.
There are so many choices of additives to blend with your clay. Here are a few options that will make your facial masks extra special.
Activated Charcoal — Draws out toxins & fights acne
Chamomile Powder — Helps fade scars, fights acne, and reduces skin irritation by neutralizing free radicals.
Rose Hip Powder — Helps restore a youthful glow
Turmeric Powder — High in antioxidants, reduces pigmentation & evens skin tone.
Coconut Milk Powder — High levels of vitamin C which helps maintain elasticity & flexibility of the skin. Prevents wrinkles and age spots.
Matcha Powder — High in antioxidants, fights free radicals that damage cells needed to protect the skin.
Flaxseed Powder — Best known for its high anti-inflammatory levels. Good for all skin types.
Oatmeal Powder — Moisturizing & soothing to skin. Good for all skin types.
Kelp Powder — High iodine, mineral and antioxidant content. Helps moisturize & soften the skin.
Aloe Vera Powder — Full of antioxidants & minerals which can help speed healing. Moisturizing and good for all skin types.
Cocoa Powder — Full of antioxidants & blocks harmful free radicals in the body.
Nettle leaf Powder — Helps to detoxify and clear the skin. Can improve the appearance of visible blemishes and helps even out the skins tone. Great for all skin types.
Marshmallow Root Powder — Great for acne-prone skin, can improve completion of the skin. Helps relieve skin irritation due to the anti-inflammatory properties.
Clay masks are just as easy to take off as they are to put on. Because most masks harden from their original state, removing them is not difficult. Simply wash the mask off with lukewarm water, either in the shower or with a non-abrasive cotton towel. Feel free to polish your skin off with a cleanser and remember to give your face one more layer of moisturizer to help lock any moisture.
Know that no matter what the reason you’re checking out clay masks may be, there’s a clay mask out there for you.
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