While there are many varieties of clay, we’ve narrowed it down to the most powerful clays for effectively treating and improving the delicate skin on your face.
As the name indicates, French green clay comes to us from France and gets its green color from decomposed plant matter, also known as phytonutrients. This is one of the best clays for blemish-prone skin due to having one of the highest absorption capacities, effectively deep cleaning and decongesting clogged pores.
Known as the healing clay, bentonite clay is prized for its benefits, internally and externally. Our bentonite clay is sourced from the United States and is composed of naturally occurring volcanic ash. Bentonite is a rich source of minerals such as silica, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron and potassium. It has been studied for its effect on promoting the appearance of firmness, attributed to its high silica content. Bentonite clay is also valued for its soothing benefits.
Kaolin clay is one of the mildest and most gentle clays, making it ideal for sensitive and reactive skin. Regardless of its gentle nature, Kaolin clay is still highly beneficial to the skin and effectively cleanses and exfoliates without the use of synthetic surfactants and abrasives.
This skin softening clay comes to us from deep within the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It’s recommended for dry and mature skin in need of rejuvenation. Rhassoul clay has been used as a body, face and hair treatment for over 1400 years and is a staple ingredient in luxury spa treatments. Rhassoul clay is known for improving the appearance of skin tone, texture and promoting a healthy glow.
– Mask 15 minutes before a shower or bath.
– Mask while reading a book.
– Mask during a movie or your favorite sitcom.
– Mask during your at-home yoga/workout session.
Begin by transforming your fresh powder mask into a creamy paste by mixing it with a liquid of choice. Our powder masks are housed in a very special violet glass that preserves the clays and fresh herbs. By keeping our masks in powder form, it allows us to avoid the use of fillers and harsh preservatives. Mixing your own mask is worth the extra skin benefits.
The most basic way to activate your mask is by mixing it with hot water. We recommend using hot water as it will activate the herbs, very much like steeping a tea. Always begin by adding a small amount of liquid, a quarter teaspoon or less at a time, mixing and adding more until the perfect consistency is achieved — a creamy, pudding-like texture.
Try to avoid making the mistake of adding too much water at first, as that will dilute the mask, and the only way to fix that situation is to add more powder to the mix. Allow the mask to steep for 1-2 minutes and test the temperature with your finger before applying.
One of the main benefits of using a powder mask, instead of one that comes pre-hydrated, is that it allows you to customize the treatment to your skin’s current needs. You control if the mask will be an extraction mask, moisture mask, exfoliating mask, or a little bit of everything.
Below are 4 ways to customize your Root Science mask depending on your skin’s needs. We recommend masking 1-3 times per week. You can use our masks as full facial treatments or simply spot treat areas of congestion and blemishes.
You will notice results almost immediately if this is your first-time masking, but know that a consistent routine of masking weekly will have the most profound effect on your complexion and improve your skin over time. We are proponents of the slow and steady approach when it comes to caring for your skin as it yields long term results and supports optimal skin health.
Your skin barrier is sensitive, so if you shock it with harsh treatments, you can throw your skin barrier function out of balance. Signs that indicate your skin is being stressed or imbalanced include excess oil production, rashes, bumps, redness and dry patches. These signs are your skin telling you “too much, too fast”. Slow and steady is the way to go, very much like exercise.
You’ll begin to notice a smoother, more even-toned complexion and less noticeable pores with consistent use. You can’t change the size of your pores, however the clay mask will absorb excess oil and debris that can make pores appear enlarged – yet another amazing clay mask skin benefit!
1. Add raw honey to create a skin softening enzyme mask.
2. Add plain yogurt to create a cooling + probiotic mask.
3. Add 1-2 pumps of facial oil to create a deep moisture-replenishing mask.
4. Add green tea instead of water for an extraction mask with astringent and antioxidant benefits.
For detailed recipes for customizing your clay mask, explore our Product Tips & Tricks page. Videos of how to apply our Detox and Reborn masks can be found here and here, respectively.
We recommend starting with a bare face. You do not need to cleanse your face before applying a clay mask, unless you need to remove makeup and/or SPF. We do not recommend cleansing right before a mask to avoid disrupting the PH of your skin. If you need to wash your face to remove makeup and SPF, allow your skin a few minutes to recalibrate before applying the clay mask.
Apply a generous layer of a freshly-activated mask all over face and neck, avoiding areas that are fragile, such as the under-eye area, lips or any broken or chapped skin. Leave on for 15 minutes or until dry. Some people may think that by leaving the mask on longer that it will increase the benefits. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Do not leave the mask on for long once it has dried, as it can irritate the skin and negate some of the amazing clay mask skin benefits. Once the mask dries, remove it or rehydrate it, if you decide to leave it on longer. If you mix your mask with honey, oil or yogurt, you can leave the mask on longer, roughly 45 minutes.
We always recommend masking before a bath or shower for ease of cleanup. Remove the clay mask using warm water. Begin by splashing your face to rehydrate the mask and gently massage your skin for gentle exfoliation. Continue rinsing and massaging until mask is fully removed. Always follow with a moisturizer and/or nutrient-rich oil-based serum. It is vital to replenish moisture after using a clay mask.
Clay replaces the need for harsh synthetic spot treatments. Simply apply a clay mask on blemishes as they begin to appear, to stop them in their tracks.
As you can see, clay mask skin benefits are numerous, which is why clay makes for such a powerful ingredient in skincare formulations. But at Root Science, we don’t stop there. Each of our clay-based facial masks is infused with organic, time-honored botanicals renowned for their skin beneficial properties and overall beautifying effects on the skin. We supercharge each formula, ultimately building upon the foundational powers of clay.
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