As with every seasonal change, the arrival of Autumn can bring about its fair share of skin problems, which we must prepare to battle against. For some the colder months can cause dry skin problems, but for others it may actually lead to oilier skin - as the drier, ambient air can encourage your skin to produce more of its moisturising, protective oil. Though this can be an all-year-round problem, it definitely becomes more noticeable as the seasons change.

So, what can you do to prevent that shiny t-zone? You don’t want to start slathering a ton of harsh, chemical laden products on your face and it’s always best to get to the root of the problem rather than covering it up. This is where clay comes in. A 100% natural substance that’s been used to beautify and detoxify for thousands of years, so we think it can definitely be classed as well and truly ‘tried and tested’ by now!

How does clay help oily skin?

Natural clay comes with a whole catalog of benefits and each type (because, yes, there are a lot of clay types) can help with different problems. Helping to tackle oily skin and blocked pores is probably one of clay's most renowned advantages. This is because clay is so good at drawing out impurities and cleansing the skin, essentially giving a very deep clean, absorbing oil and getting right into the pores.

If spots or acne usually accompanies your oily skin, clay can work very effectively to help clear and soothe the skin. Unlike drugstore products full of harsh chemicals, clay doesn’t just work to reduce the redness or dry out the spots you already have, it actually tackles the oily root of the problem leaving you with long-term clearer skin. A lot of clays are also gentle exfoliants, which help to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and sebum that have collected in your pores, leaving you with a fresh-faced glow and banishing that oily shine.

Which clay is right for you?

If you’re prone to oily skin, then we would instantly recommend that you try our 100% natural Ultra Fine French Green Clay. This is the ultimate oil-absorbing, deep-cleansing, exfoliating, acne-ridding clay and will be invaluable in helping your skin to re-balance! Use on your problem areas and watch the wonders of clay unfold.

Green Clay works by sucking toxins from the skin and gobbling them up - literally drawing them out and pulling them inside the clay molecule. Toxins, dirt and other impurities have a ‘positive charge’ whereas pure clay has a negative charge, and as we know from our school days, opposites attract!

You can feel this working when using a face mask. As the clay starts to dry, you’ll feel a sucking and tightening sensation as the clay starts to cleanse the pores.

It is important to select a high-quality clay though as low-quality clay may not be 100% pure and may have already absorbed toxins, which reduces their pulling power!

In addition to its cleansing powers, clay is also wonderfully nutritious for the skin. It contains a wealth of minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and silica which help to nourish and strengthen the skin. Green clay also has antibacterial, healing properties making it particularly useful for blemish-prone skin.

As we mentioned above, Green Clay is the most-absorbent of all the clays, so it may not be suitable if you have oily AND sensitive skin. If this is the case, too much absorption can actually dry out your skin and cause irritation.  For more complex skin needs, we recommend our all-natural Kaolin Clay. This is far gentler than the French Green Clay, but will still get the job done. It’ll help to cleanse your skin, removing impurities and dead skin cells without causing irritation, to keep your skin in top condition. 

With Winter and Christmas approaching the last thing you want to worry about is problem skin! So, let us take those worries away with our natural clay products! There is a saying that 'Nature knows best' and clay is no exception. Our clays can simply be blended with water, or you can try mixing them with our hydrolats, aloe vera gels or any other 'wet' ingredient that will nourish your skin. See our recipe ideas below.

If you don't want to make your own clay mask, then you could try our Recovery Purifying Mask with Kaolin Clay, Shea Butter and pure essential oils of Lavender, May Chang, Sweet Thyme and Frankincense. This soothing, cleansing, antiseptic blend is ideally suited to oily and blemish prone skin. 

Clay face mask recipes for oily skin

Cleansing Clay Face Mask

2 tbsp of French Green Clay / Kaolin Clay
1 tbsp of Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel or natural yogurt
2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
1 drop of Neroli essential oil

Combine all the ingredients until you have a smooth mixture and use a mask brush or clean fingers to apply the mask to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Let the mask set for 15 minutes or until dry and wash off using warm water with small circular movements. Finally, splash your face with cold water to help close the pores.

Exfoliating Face Mask

2 tbsp of French Green Clay / Kaolin Clay
1 tbsp clear honey
1 tsp of Fine Dead Sea Salt (grind up a little more if you feel it's too coarse)
1 tsp fine pinhead oatmeal
4 drops of fresh lemon juice
2 drops of Juniperberry essential oil
2 drops of Geranium essential oil
1 drop of Eucalyptus essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together and massage into your face using small circular motions. Leave on for 10 minutes and wipe off using warm water and a flannel. Splash your face with cold water to help close the pores.

Note: When mixing up your face masks, do not use a metal bowl or spoon as this will react with the clay and reduce its effectiveness. 

If you have any questions about our natural clays, other products or any skin troubles you may be facing, get in touch with our team today and we’ll be pleased to help you out.

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