Skin Care Secrets Revealed: Face Masks

By Kolbjorn Borseth

Raw Materials for Face Masks

The main ingredient in face masks is either Clay or algae products. This article on Face Masks deals with the Aromantic way of using clays.

Clay has been used both internally and externally for healing purposes with excellent results for many centuries. Clay is a solid, fat and moist earth that can be red, green, brown, grey, pink, yellow or white. Each type has its own properties which are determined by where it comes from and how deeply it is mined.  Our Clay comes from France, where it has been dried in the sun.
Clay is not only suitable for making Face Masks, you can make Clay Body Packs to stimulate blood and lymph circulation and it is mixed with water or herbal infusions and other active ingredients in Creams, Bath and Hair products, etc.

The colour in Green Clay comes from the 44.5% Silica content which is the most important mineral for the skin. Clay is rich in minerals and active enzymes. Clay treatments stimulate the circulation of blood and lymph, remove dead skin cells and absorb dirt and other surface fats. They also tone and strengthen the connective tissues. Clay stimulates blood circulation and draws toxins and superfluous fat from the skin. It contracts and tones the skin and strengthens the connective tissue. Clay is used for dirty and flaccid skin, acne, for poor blood circulation and to soothe eczema and sunburn.

Clay Face Masks for different skin types

• For sensitive skin the best type of clay to use is White Clay.
• For dry and sensitive skin use Pink Clay.
• For all kinds of skin problems and most skin types and conditions, especially oily skin, I recommend using Green Clay.
• For normal skin use Red Clay.
• For normal and oily skin use Yellow Clay.

Some more interesting facts about Clays...

Out of all of the different clays, green clays draw best and so are very good for treating oily skin. A Green Clay Pack is very good on swollen knee problems together with Macerated Arnica Oil (10% ) or Arnica Tincture (5%), plus Comfrey Oil (10%) or Comfrey Leaf Tincture (5%). Make it into a fine paste and use it as Compress over the knee. Use the same amount of liquid as the amount of clay powder you're using. Mix the appropriate essential oils in at the end.

Red Clay is good for Body Packs for weight loss. Make a paste & apply.
White Clay is good to use if you have been in the sun for too long. The white clay is also appropriate for, apart from generally sensitive skin, enlarged capillaries and red and sore babies' bottoms.

Minerals found in all the Clays

Silica - at approximately 50%. It regenerates and softens the skin.

Magnesium - 0.2 to 5%

Calcium - 0.2 to 8%. It stimulates cell regeneration.

Calium - 1 to 5%.

Mangan - 0.15% in the Green, Red and Yellow Clays.

Sodium - 0.01 to 0.3% in all Clays except the Red Clay. It helps to maintain the skin's elasticity and stimulates cell regeneration.

Recipes for Clay Masks

Simple Clay Face Mask

For a very simple Face Mask mix equal amounts of water & Clay and add a small quantity of Essential Oils (1-10 drops per 100ml - optional). NB: No heating is required.

Here is a recipe I used on the Ruby Wax show for BBC1 television in the UK and a lot of these raw materials you can find in your own fridge or cupboard.

The 'Ruby Wax' Avocado/Cucumber/Clay Face Mask

This face mask is good for mature and dehydrated or dry skin. The cucumber has a natural moisturising effect and it smells like a fresh vegetable salad.

Stage 1:

• 1/4 cup cucumber, peel and chopped
• 1/4 cup avocado flesh
• 3 tablespoons finely powdered oats (for mild peeling)
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (squeezed from lemon)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Stage 2:

• 8-9 tablespoons Clay powder
• Few drops of Essential Oils (optional)

Method:

1. Stage 1: Puree the cucumber and avocado flesh in a food processor until it is smooth with the water and lemon juice. Then add all the other ingredients in Stage 1.
2. Stage 2: Pour out the mix from the blender into a bowl and then whisk in the Clay. Apply the Face Masks to a clean face and neck and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water then apply a Toner and Moisturiser.
4. Use the Mask 1-2 times a week.

Important note: This Face Mask must be used immediately, it cannot be kept or preserved but will keep a few days in the fridge.

Cleansing Clay Mask

Stage 1:

• 40 ml Lavender Hydrolate
• 35 ml Spring Water
• 1ml/g/25 drops Preservative 12 OR
  1ml/g/20 drops Preservative Eco
• 75g/ml Clay

Stage 2:

• 3 drops Tea Tree or Fragonia Essential Oil
• 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

 
Clay Mask for Sensitive Skin

• 40 ml Rose Water (Organic)
• 25 ml Spring Water
• 1ml/g/25 drops Preservative 12 OR
  1ml/g/20 drops Preservative Eco
• 75g/ml Pink Clay powder
• 10ml Apricot Kernel Oil
  

Method for all Face Masks:

1. Pour the water into a bowl and add the drops of preservative.
2. Sprinkle the clay powder over and allow it to sink into the water without stirring (Part 1). Stirring can begin when the uppermost layer of clay powder has begun to absorb the water.
3. Add the other ingredients at this point (Part 2).
4. If you have sensitive skin, a small amount of vegetable oil can be added to the recipe and the face mask can be applied to dry skin which has been covered with a thin layer of oil.
5. Wash the face mask off before it is fully dry. Otherwise, apply the face mask to clean skin which has been moistened with water.
6. If you have normal skin, allow the face mask to dry completely before washing off. For normal skin, grimacing before washing off the face mask is an effective way of removing dead skin cells. NB: Moisten the lips first, otherwise these and not just the face mask will crack!

Helpful hint

It is useful to write down all your recipes, including the ones which are not so successful, along with the date, a batch number and the intended purpose of the product. With all this information you should be able to work out the reason for any problems you may have and more importantly will be able to reproduce your successes.

The main thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy yourself!