Hair wrapped in a towel, cucumbers over the eyes, and a white, clay paste on the skin. This is the typical image associated with self-care that’s been used for as long as we can remember. Therefore, it’s quite evident that using clay as a skincare ingredient is nothing new. Following suit, we now find it in our body care regimes. However, with the hype put to one side- is clay good for your skin? And not just for our complexions, but what about our skin from top to toe? There’s surely a reason why it sits firmly as a top skincare ingredient as many others come and go. So, here’s Mio’s guide to reveal if clay is good for your skin and what are its benefits.

What does clay do for your skin

To begin, what does clay do for your skin? In skin care, clay is a deeply cleansing, detoxifying ingredient. It’s usually linked to formulas that promise to un-clog pores and sweep away impurities. However, these days there are many different types and forms used within skin and body care. Therefore, if you’re wondering what does clay do for your skin, there’s not one simple answer. For example, Green clay is best used for deeply absorbing excess oils whilst Kaolin clay benefits include acting as a mild, gentle cleanser. Some are more suited to oily and congested skin, whereas others are a match for those with sensitive, dry skin.

The blessing of using clay in body care is that the skin on our bodies is more resilient than the delicate skin on our faces. Therefore, our bodies can benefit from all of the clay mask benefits without the concern of triggering any sensitivity or redness. Speaking of which, what exactly are clay mask benefits for the body?

Clay mask benefits for the body

There’s a lot of talk about whether or not clay is good for your skin on the face, but what about the body? As mentioned, body clay masks have the ability to work their magic without the fear of being too harsh. That is why Mio’s Clay Away Detoxifying Body Cleanser includes a combination of gentle cleansing Kaolin clay benefits, as well as those deeply exfoliating benefits from Green clay.

Can be used as a refreshing daily wash
Can be used as full-body mask to deeply cleanse the skin
Can be used to decongest and exfoliate target areas
Added ingredients such as Wild Willow Bark to help improve the skin’s surface
Combined with a blend of Indian Fig extract to leave the skin feeling soothed and hydrated

While this 2-in-1 product doubles as a daily wash, we would recommend taking some time once a week to use it for its full, clay mask benefits. As you wait for the clay to dry onto the skin, it will draw the skin’s impurities to the surface to provide you with a squeaky clean, refreshed surface, the perfect way to re-set the skin as a new week approaches! The best way to use it is after a quick sweep of an exfoliating body brush, followed by an active serum and moisturizer.

skincare steps

What is Kaolin clay?

Now that we’ve mentioned what the general clay mask benefits are, let’s get specific. What is Kaolin clay, you ask? Also known as China clay, it comes in various colors, but most commonly white. Kaolin clay is naturally a milder type of clay, so is still perfect to use on sensitive skin.

Kaolin clay benefits

Kaolin clay benefits include, but are not limited to:

It’s a great natural cleanser, helping to draw out impurities from the skin
It absorbs excess oil on the surface to help keep pores unclogged and promote a smooth surface
However, it does so without affecting your natural oil level beneath the skin
The best clay for sensitive skin, it is soothing, calming, and gentle on the surface
Its mild exfoliant properties help to sweep away any old, dead skin cells
It doesn’t dry out your skin. It is rich in silica, so helps to maintain the natural pH level of your skin.

What is Green clay?

On the other hand, we have Green clay. This clay is composed of iron oxides and seaweed. Its green color comes from kelp and algae which also gives it anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s high in minerals, which makes it super effective at absorbing excess oil and purifying the skin. As mentioned, this type of clay is particularly beneficial for extra-oily skin, as it helps to deeply detoxify and exfoliate.

So back to the question, is clay good for your skin? Clay is not just good for your skin, this fantastic ingredient full of minerals is a great way to help to clear blemishes, draw out impurities and brighten the skin on the body. Upgrade your body care today and add a clay body mask to reset, refresh, and replenish your skin.

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Josie Wilkins

Writer and expert

Josie is an Online Beauty Editor with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Her passions involve all things skincare and beauty and in her free time she likes to travel, read and get her beauty sleep.

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