What is green clay?
Green clay, commonly known as French green clay, is a cosmetic clay known for its enormous absorbent powers. “It literally “drinks” oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin. When combined with liquid to make a paste, it is used in facial masks to naturally cleanse, exfoliate, and tone the skin. The green color of the clay comes from decomposed plant matter. French green clay is great for helping to clear occasional skin blemishes. Use it daily on trouble spots, or weekly as part of a complete facial treatment.” (Mountain Rose Herbs). Today not all French green clay is mined in France like it once was. Due to its popularity and overmining, the need for new sources led to the discovery of deposits in Wyoming, Montana, China, and other European countries.
All clays have the ability to absorb oil, but some have stronger drawing abilities than others depending on the minerals they contain. Their rainbow of colors indicates the variety of minerals that a specific clay can contain. Here are a few of the types and colors of cosmetic clays:
1. Bentonite clay is composed of volcanic ash and has a pale, off-whte color.
2. Rhassoul clay is a red-colored from Morocco.
3. Kaolin clay (aka white cosmetic clay) has a light tan to off-white color.
While clays are usually mixed with water to form a thick paste, other liquids can be used and will add to the benefits of the clay. Oils and hydrosols are two liquids that can replace water in making a facial mask. Hydrosols will add skin-supporting botanicals to the mask, while oils will prevent the mask from being too drying for dry skin.
Recipes
FOR DRY SKIN
- Combine equal parts French green clay and Jojoba Oil and mix to form a spreadable paste consistency.
- Apply a thin layer on the face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 8-12 minutes, making sure the mask does not dry completely.
- Rinse with warm water to remove and pat skin dry.
- Follow up with you favorite moisturizer or serum.
FOR MATURE SKIN
- Combine equal parts French green clay and Rosehip Seed Oil and mix to form a spreadable paste consistency.
- Apply a thin layer on the face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 8-12 minutes, making sure the mask does not dry completely.
- Rinse with warm water to remove and pat skin dry.
- Follow up with you favorite moisturizer or serum.
FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
- Combine equal parts French green clay and Almond Oil and mix to form a spreadable paste consistency.
- Apply a thin layer on the face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 8-12 minutes, making sure the mask does not dry completely.
- Rinse with warm water to remove and pat skin dry.
- Follow up with you favorite moisturizer or serum.
FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
- Combine equal parts French green clay and water, adding a few drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil, and mix to form a spreadable paste consistency.
- Apply a thin layer on the face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 8-12 minutes, making sure the mask does not dry completely.
- Rinse with warm water to remove and pat skin dry.
- Follow up with you favorite moisturizer or serum.
Only mix as much as will be used at once. Do not try to save it for later as harmful bacteria or mold could form in the mixture, especailly when using water or hydrosols.