Mud & clay based masks for oily skin

mud clay masks

According to a recent newsletter by The World Of Organic Skincare, mud and clay masks are great for balancing out oily skin – a view that is also echoed by Howard Donsky, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and staff dermatologist at Toronto General Hospital.  

According to Dr Donsky, “Clay masks or mud masks are worthwhile.”  However, he also cautioned that masks will make skin feel good and look better only temporarily.  Additionally, the darker brown the clay (mud), the more oil it can absorb. White or rose-colored clays, though, are gentler and work best on sensitive skin.  (Source:  The Doctors Book of Home Remedies)

Use weekly to balance the skin
Well, temporary or not, I certainly like using such products as they’re incredibly easy and fun to use and my skin always feel very refreshed afterwards.  There are increasingly more of such products in the market but my preference is always for those that are completely natural.  For example, the two favorites that I use on a regular basis – Dead Sea Mud Mask from C’est Naturel and the Herbal Healing Clay Masque from Yours Essentially – are free from additional chemical or synthetic additives.

Living Nature Cleansing Peel Mask

Masks with halloysite clay for deep cleansing
And last week, I received the Living Nature Deep Cleansing Mask and The Cleansing Clay Peel, both of which contain halloysite clay,  known for its ability to absorb toxins.  I have been pleased with the result of the clay peel as mentioned in my review of the Sheer Indulgence Facial at The World of Organic Skincare, and thought it might be something worth trying on a more frequent basis.

Need to hydrate skin properly after using such masks
However, it is important to note that because such mud and clay masks help to balance out the oil in our skin, you’ll need to pay some attention to nourishing the skin immediately afterwards.  Mel Lin, the General Manager of The World of Organic Skincare informed me that because using such masks and clays can be drying for the skin, hence hydrating the skin is an important step after using such products.  It is definitely true because I felt my combination skin feeling quite tight after using these.

GSS promotion for Living Nature Deep Cleansing Mask
By the way, those of you in Singapore may like to know that the 5-pack Living Nature Deep Cleansing Mask is currently on offer at S$29.  Each pack should provide about three times of usage so you can use these for 15 weeks since you only need them once a week.  This offer is available at The World Of Organic Skincare at their Marina Square Boutique #02-187 or their showroom and clinic at 468 River Valley Road.  I’m not certain if you can get the special at Sephora though.

Comments

  1. prettybeautiful says:

    i have been using hydrating mask for i think quite long, then now i finally added clay/sebum clearing masque into routine. my skin changed from combi to oily ?

    oh yeah, i just remembered, i wrote to yours essentially some weeks ago regarding an essential oil i wanted to buy, until now i have not heard from them.

  2. BT says:

    I’m happy of what white clay mask has done to my sensitive skin, but depends on brand. Cleanse well, temporary refined skin.

  3. Muta says:

    I’ve been using Kose Mask White and Exfoliating Gel for a while. They left my skin feeling soft and clean, but also leave rash on my sensitive skin!

    These natural clay masks seems like the perfect solution on that.

    And after I calculated all the prices, seems like Dead Sea Mud from C’est Naturel is the most affordable one, no? With my student budget Kose has been straining my wallet. This product just might be the perect solution to both my skin and financial problem! ?

  4. sesame says:

    Maybe some of the ingredients could be overly drying and have high concentration?

    Yours Essentially seem to have a problem with their email…a reader mentioned this last time but later, she managed to connect with them again. You want to try again?

  5. sesame says:

    I guess they’re more suited for your skin type. I do like them too cos I can use them a bit more frequently when I get a bit “mask mad”. (although I really shouldn’t).

  6. sesame says:

    Kose Mask White is fun to use but painful to remove! Maybe too strong for your sensitive skin.

    I haven’t compared the cost but the Dead Sea Mud Mask can last quite long cause it comes in a generous size tub.

  7. pf1123 says:

    I used the Kose Mask White too. There was once when my skin was too sensitive and my skin itches after removing. After a while, I used again and my face is fine.

    I used a marine mud mask for my clogged pores before and I think that’s great!

    However, I think oily skin needs a lot of hydration too. Currently using Silk Whita masks. My favorite mask is the Organic Peach Water Binding mask. After using, I almost can’t see my pores! ?

  8. Ms. Blacklace says:

    I’ve been using the rhassoul clay and the white kaolin clay everyday as a facial cleanser. Its like I cleanse first with OCM, then I double cleanse with the clays, then I will apply my rice flour, aloe vera and oat meal mask. Been doing this for more than half a year now, and my sensitive yet oily skin have never looked better.

    I still do have breakouts/rashes only when I consume a lot of milk products or when I have my time of the month breakouts but they were all very easy to manage. I just need to squeeze VERY LIGHTLY, and the stuff shoots out and it heals within 2 days.

    I’m so loving DIY skin care right now. Super cheap and it works. The only downside is, it is troublesome….

    Oh yes, 2 days ago, I got rashes on my forehaed coz I drink way too much milk for 2 days straight, so when I went home and did the OCM, my rashes subsided, and when I double cleansed with the kaolin and rhassoul clay, the rash stopped immediately [I let the clays dry on my face for like 5 minutes].

  9. Dee says:

    I use a clay mask for my acne once a week and I always use astringent and moisturize after. My cousin has super oily skin and never moisturizes when she uses a clay mask. Her skin gets a little patchy.

  10. sesame says:

    Ah, I remember you mentioned about the sensitivity. So its good that its all fine now. The Organic Peach Water Binding mask sounds great. Where is it obtainable?

  11. sesame says:

    Yes, I noticed that you really enjoy your DIY skin care routine. You use OCM daily? I’ve used rhassoul clay and liked it then but have since, moved on.

    Oh, tell me about milk. Drinking milk is okay for me on alternate days but I realized now that I can’t even eat too much milk chocolates. I’ve got pimples now from eating them this week!

  12. sesame says:

    Maybe you want to sound her out to hydrate her skin? Sometimes, pple think that using a mask is good enough and forget the moisturizing step.

  13. pf1123 says:

    The Silk Whitia Organic Peach Water Binding mask (mask sheet type) is available at Sasa. I only saw it being sold at Clifford Center at Raffles Place.

    Quite a few Sasa I have been to doesn’t have.

  14. Muta says:

    I just went to Marina and found out there’s sale on Ahava Mineral Mud!

    http://www.ahava.com.sg/pages.php?pageid=20

    Any thoughts on this brand?

  15. sesame says:

    I see…I’ll have a look at it next time. Thanks for the info!

  16. sesame says:

    I recently reviewed their pure mud for body. Tried it on my hair and body and it’s not bad. However, this is apparently not for the face. I didn’t check their other range cos most of them, except for the newer ones, contain some form of synthetics.

  17. Muta says:

    Woops, lucky I didn’t buy it on impulse yesterday. *phew*

    I checked in cosmeticdatabase.com, apparently a lot of their products are given red score warning. Not for me then. ?

  18. Ms. Blacklace says:

    Yes I do use OCM daily. That is the only way I can remove my sunscreen. However, it doesn’t dry out my skin. I got lazy once, and I just used my mom’s facial cleanser and OMG, my face was red and dry and it flaked, and the skin around my mouth and nose was sore.

    I actually use warm water to remove the oil, not steamy/hot water so it was quite gentle. But even though I use masks daily, my skin isn’t dried out. Maybe it’s because there isn’t any chemicals in them and I also moisturise my face with oils.

  19. pf1123 says:

    I don’t think the Organic Peach mask is probably just a gimmick. But it does feel nice and have instant gratification for me.

  20. sesame says:

    I saw their newer range – bath and body – that are supposedly free from some of the common synthetics but I didn’t try them though.

  21. sesame says:

    I see…you use warm water so that’s why you can use OCM daily. I guess this is another variation, not the one with the one using hot steamy water.

  22. sesame says:

    Ya, I suspect that too. Sasa recently brought in a range that is supposedly natural but I noticed the ingredients are not. Can’t remember the brand offhand now.

  23. pf1123 says:

    Ooo…what am I saying. Its just a gimmick. Haha…

    Now there’s a promotion. $10 for each box and there’s 5 sheets in each box. Lovely!

  24. sesame says:

    I haven’t stepped into a Sasa for awhile now…especially since I moved to natural/organic products. And to think that it used to be my fave beauty store!

  25. Keidi says:

    Hi sesame, I just got my hands on the Living Nature clay peel mask. Am wondering how long do I leave it on my face for? After that just wash off with warm water? The SA told me to peel it off once it dries, and that was like in a few minutes when I tried today. Very fast! Usually I leave my other mud masks on for 30 mins. How about this one?

  26. sesame says:

    Peel off mask is very quick. Like 2 minutes when it’s about dry. A bit tricky cos if too dry, cannot peel off and got to add some water.

    For other mask, try 20 mins first.

    Forgot to add – remember to moisture properly afterwards or your skin would be drying using clay masks. You can also follow on with a hydrating mask if you like.

  27. Keidi says:

    Oh, literally peel off? I kinda wash it off slowly and gently with water just like other mask. Can’t imagine peeling it off how do u do that? Yeah my skin today is feeling dry, something never felt before… Must moisterize more…

  28. sesame says:

    Hmm…it’s rolling off rather or rubbing gently. The word peel off is misleading…haha…

    Don’t use clay masks more than once a week if your skin is dry. If yours is oily or combi, maximum twice but must hydrated properly afterwards.

  29. Jessica says:

    Hi,
    Have you tried using a mud mask called ChiQui Beaute- Mud to Go? It comes with a purifying and lightening mud mask. I believe they will send you a sample to review if you request one from them. Their website is chiquibeaute.com. I have a promo code that gives you $10 off any facial mask. Hope you give it a try because I love it! ?

  30. Chloe says:

    Hi,

    May I know where can I get Yours Essentially Products?

    Thanks,
    Chloe

  31. sesame says:

    They’ve closed down the shop unfortunately…

  32. Hazel says:

    Have you heard of the egyptian clay mask? It’s powder and then you mix it with apple cider vinegar to make it into a clay. I haven’t tried it yet, it can be bought at Healthy Options (store in philippines) but the product is pretty popular is US too, i think (or other countries).
    Hazel last post is: Review: Tony Moly Expert Triple BB Cream SPF45PA+++

  33. Suvens says:

    Really good info on mud mask. I was searching for mud mask for acne n got this article. Hope this would help me.

    Thanks.:)
    Suvens last post is: Sesame Oil for Dry Scalp

  34. Sesame says:

    Yes, hope it’ll work well for you.

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