How Clay Benefits Your Skin: Find the Best Clay for Your Skin Type

Whether you're into skincare and are willing to try something for clearer, more radiant skin, or you're just sticking to the basics, chances are you've crossed paths with clay face mask. As one of the oldest forms of skin care, clay masks can provide the skin with a wide range of benefits, from clearing pores to a radiant complexion. “Too often, clay is the unsung hero of a recipe,” says Jennifer Hirsch, beauty botanist at The Body Shop, “its cleansing power acts as a backup player for a more glamorous ingredient.” Hirsch says there are 12 different clays used in cosmetics, and all of them have the ability to remove impurities from the surface of the skin, but out of 12 she always chooses four: white kaolin, bentonite, French green and Moroccan rassoul. Interested in learning about the skin care benefits of each of these different clays for your skin type? Keep reading.

White kaolin clay for dry and sensitive skin

“Better known as China clay or white clay, this is the softest of all clays. It draws out oil and impurities less effectively, making [this clay] ideal for dry and sensitive skin." Hirsch says. She recommends trying Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay by The Body Shop from the brand Spa of the World Line. Its formula has a base of kaolin mixed with charcoal powder and can draw out impurities, providing a much-needed deep cleansing to your body's skin. This body clay is perfect for a home spa day as it can prove to be a relaxing treatment not only for your skin, but also for your mind.

bentonite clay for oily skin

“The extreme absorbency of bentonite is the opposite of white clay, [and its] powerful absorption makes it ideal for oily skin,” she says. We love this type of clay as not only does it deeply cleanse our skin, but it can also work to remove the environmental aggressors we face every day from our skin's surface. We like to create a mask using one part bentonite clay and one part apple cider vinegar. Apply the mask on your face and body, let it dry, then rinse with warm water or take a nice relaxing bath.

French green clay for oily and acne prone skin

“Rich in minerals and phytonutrients and effective in removing impurities, French Green Clay is a valuable beauty ingredient,” explains Hirsch. In addition to its detoxifying properties, French Green Clay is also highly absorbent, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin as it can purify the complexion. Make your own DIY French Green Clay mask by mixing 1 tablespoon (or more, depending on how much skin you want to cover) of French Green Clay with enough mineral water to make a paste (start with half a tablespoon and work your way up). ). Apply the mask to your face and body once a week for a deep cleansing.  

Moroccan rassul for all skin types

"Ultra-fine in texture and loaded with skin-friendly magnesium as well as a host of other minerals, Rassoul is a powerful detoxifier [that can] replenish important minerals," says Hirsch. The Body Shop Spa of the World line includes Body Clay World Moroccan Rhassoul it contains both kaolin and rassoul clay from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.