Clay in Skin Care: Which Way Should You Clay?

All clays aren’t created equal.

That’s right friends, when it comes to clay in skin care, you need to know which type of clay is best for you and your skin care needs. From that trendy Sand & Sky mask that continues to blow up our social media feeds to the classic tub of Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, each clay mask is very different from the other…well, depending on which type of clay it uses!

While some clays are stronger than others, there are some general rules to follow when it comes to using any clay. Generally, you should only be reaching for a clay mask if you have normal to oily skin. If you have dry skin, you can still reach for a clay mask, but you have to be slightly more picky. Why?

All clays have oil absorption properties, which is what allow them to clear and clean your skin so well, but if you use too strong of a clay on dry skin then get ready for even drier skin.

Types of Clay in Skin Care

While there are obviously so many types of clay on this beautiful planet of ours, there are some commonly used ones in skin care due to their healing properties. The most common types are:

Bentonite Clay

Best for: Oily, Acne-Prone

One of the most commonly used (and the key ingredient in that Aztec Secret Indian Healing Mask), Bentonite Clay is made from volcanic ash. It has high-absorption properties, so it’s great for those with very oily or acne-prone skin as it’s great at pulling out excess sebum. The coolest thing about Bentonite Clay is when it’s mixed with water, it has electromagnetic properties that help lift toxins out of your skin. If you have clogged skin, how can you not say yes to this?!

Products to try:

Kaolin Clay

Best for: Sensitive, Normal, Acne-Prone, Oily

Not all Kaolin Clay is even the same! You’ll typically see Kaolin Clay in white, yellow or red. White is the least absorbent of the three, but is great for a mild exfoliation when rubbed into your skin. This clay is also great for increasing circulation so you’ll find it in a lot of brightening masks! Absorption levels are increased when you use a yellow Kaolin Clay, but it is still gentle enough for sensitive skin. Red Kaolin Clay is the most absorbent and is the best for our acne-prone and oily friends. If you’ve seen Pink Clay around, that’s typically a mix of white and red and is the ideal balance for almost all skin types!

Products to try:

French Green Clay (Illite)

Best for: Oily, Acne-Prone, Normal

French Green Clay (sourced in France…duh) should be your go-to if you need oil absorption, exfoliation and pore-tightening. This clay is mighty strong so stay away if you have dry skin! In fact, it’s so strong that not only does it absorb the heck out of oils, but it also pulls blood toward the surface of your skin (this is also what makes it slightly tingly!). This clay is green due to decomposed plant material and iron oxide (if your French Green Glay is ever gray or white…it’s bad quality!). If you have normal skin, make sure you only use this clay 1x per week…MAX

Products to try:

Fuller’s Earth Clay

Best for: Oily, Acne-Prone, Normal

Another mighty strong clay is Fuller’s Earth Clay. It’s so strong that it’s often used in things like kitty litter and automotive products to absorb oil spills on pavement. That’s strong! While it obviously is great at absorbing oils, this clay is also great for addressing hyperpigmentation issues since it has mild bleaching properties. While this is best for oily and acne-prone skin due to its intense drying abilities, normal skin friends can use this too, just no more than 1x per week!

Products to try:

Rhassoul Clay

Best for: Normal, Oily, Acne-Prone, Sensitive

Rhassoul Clay is a mineral-dense, negatively charged clay making it ideal for attracting all those positively-charged toxins in your skin. If you have sebum plugs, blackheads and excess oil, this clay is for you! The best thing about this clay is it wont leave your skin dry because it has properties that help boost your elasticity and texture! In fact, it’s actually gentle enough for daily use in small doses. Another perk of Rhassoul is that it’s great for your hair too! If you have excess build-up and oil on your scalp, Rhassoul Clay is great for removing build-up and restoring volume and shine in your luscious locks!

Products to try:

Which Way Will You Clay?

From my extensive clay research today, the most commonly found clay in skin care are Bentonite, Kaolin, and French Green! These three seem to be absolute powerhouses! That said, it’s interesting to me that Fuller’s Earth and Rhassoul are really hard to find in products. It might just be time to do some DIY face mask making!

Personally, I love to use a clay mask every 1-2 weeks, but never more than once per week. They’re great at detoxing and pulling out oils from my skin, but they do tend to dry me out. Since I’m more prone to dryness from clays, Kaolin Clay has become my new go-to!

P.S. That VERSED brightening mask I mentioned above is AH-MAZING! What’s your go-to clay?