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Probably in the world of beauty there is no means more popular than clay. It is used in folk beauty recipes, and in cosmetics for home use, and in professional lines. We reveal the secret of super demand.
The effectiveness of clay for the skin of the face
Over the long history of mankind, natural clay not only has not lost its glory, but has increased it. The cosmetic industry could not pass by this natural substance, which literally transforms the appearance. Clay masks and compresses have been used since time immemorial to cleanse and treat inflamed, damaged skin.
In modern times, clay mixtures are used to develop spa programs aimed at solving a variety of problems. No less successfully clay is used in dermatology. And as a star component of the home beauty kitchen.
Features of composition
Clay is a sedimentary rock, a collection of microscopic mineral particles. Clay is plastic, which facilitates its application to the body. Not surprisingly, the transformative powers of clay were discovered long before the technological beauty era.
The chemical composition and set of trace elements depend on the type of clay and its deposits. When dry, cosmetic clay is a powder that turns into a magical beauty product only when mixed with water.
На «глинянных» процедурах основаны спа-программы
All types of clay contain aluminum oxide, but in this case there is nothing to be afraid of – it does not have any effect on the skin.
Useful Properties
Getting on the surface of the skin, the clay works in two directions: it takes away the unnecessary and gives away the necessary, thus producing a very beneficial exchange for the skin.
1. Acts as an absorbent, pulling everything from the skin that poisons its existence:
excess of sebum;
mud;
частицы тяжелых металлов.
Thus, the clay provides intensive cleansing and detoxification of the skin.
2. Saturates the skin with microelements.
The skin is nourished, strengthening its protective properties.
Manufacturers usually enrich the composition of clay masks with additional ingredients. They enhance the detox effect, and also neutralize the drying effect that pure clay has on the skin.
Types of clay in cosmetics
Today, the beauty industry is using 12 varieties natural clay compounds.
Rassul – the famous clay from Morocco
Consumers do not need to know the names and chemical composition of each. It is enough to familiarize yourself with a simple classification, which includes 4 main types of clay.
Kaolin
Bentonite
Named after a deposit near Fort Benton (Montana, USA). 70% consists of montmorillonite – a mineral, a powerful absorbent with pronounced cleansing and detox properties.
Bentonite is ideal for owners of oily skin and residents of megacities, as it draws sebum and heavy metal salts out of the pores. Plus normalizes the acid-base balance of the epidermis and strengthens the skin barrier.
Green, french clay
Iron oxide gives it a bright color. But the point is not at all in the shade, but in the set of micro and macro elements (silver, copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc) and the ability to perfectly absorb excess sebum.
Gassul (rassul)
The legendary clay, which is mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, according to the Eastern tradition, is used in the hammam for deep cleansing of the skin, not only of the face and body, but also of the head. Gassul perfectly copes with all pollution and has a rich mineral composition. The content of magnesium, calcium and silicon is especially high in it.
Gassul has a delicate texture, has a complex effect on the skin: cleanses, softens, fights dryness, improves elasticity.
Colored clay for the face
The color of the clay is given by dyes (for example, iron oxide), which do not have cosmetic properties.
The color of the clay is given by trace elements.
But consumers do not have time to read special literature, and they want to choose the right mask. Therefore, for ease of orientation, a color classification was adopted.
Blue
White (kaolin)
The most neutral and versatile. It is a natural mineral based on aluminosilicates. It can be not only white, but also grayish, pinkish, yellowish. It goes well with other substances and serves as the basis for masks of various profiles.
Green
It is used for oily skin and against dandruff. Contains silver, which means it has an antiseptic effect.
Red
This color is given to the clay by iron oxide and copper oxide. Means based on it are suitable for skin with rosacea, peeling.
Black
This is clay of volcanic origin. The notorious ghassul belongs to it.
Cosmetic clay for the face: which one to choose
Most of all, clay masks are useful for owners of combination and oily skin, which needs regular intensive cleansing.
“But in general, clay can be used for any type of skin, except for very dry skin, as it removes excess sebum and frees from dead skin cells,” says Marina Kamanina.
With combination and oily skin, clay masks can be used 1-2 times a week. If the skin is dry – no more than 1 time in 2 weeks. After rinsing off the mask with warm water, apply a moisturizer.
Safety measures
The main rule is not to overexpose the clay mask on the face and not allow it to dry completely, so as not to overdry the skin.
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Review: 7 products with clay in the composition
Mineral Pore Purifying Clay Mask, Vichy based on a combination of two types of cosmetic clay – kaolin and bentonite. The composition is supplemented with allantoin and aloe vera. Gives skin softness.
Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser, Kiehl’s подходит для нормальной, склонной к жирности и жирной кожи. Частицы глины хорошо очищают и помогают предотвратить закупорку пор и появление черных точек.
Scrub mask “Magic clay. Exfoliation and narrowing of pores, L’Oréal Paris with three types of clay (kaolin, gassul, montmorillonite) also contains exfoliating particles and algae extract to make the skin not just clean, but polished.
Mask, deep cleansing pores and improving skin condition, Clarifying Clay Masque, SkinCeuticals based on a combination of kaolin and bentonite with hydroxy acids reduces the visibility of pores, removes excess oil and exfoliates the skin. Suitable for everyone.
Balancing shampoo for hair that is oily at the roots and dry at the ends, “3 precious clays” Elseve, L’Oréal Paris cleanses the scalp of sebum and moisturizes the hair.
Cleansing and mattifying mask Effaclar, La Roche-Posay для жирной и проблемной кожи замешана на фирменной богатой селеном термальной воде, которая успокаивает кожу. Глубокое очищающее действие обеспечивают два вида минеральной глины.
Steaming mask with zinc “Clean Skin”, Garnier contains kaolin, which works even more actively and efficiently due to the thermal effect.