GUIDE TO FRENCH CLAYS
What exactly are French Clays?
They are naturally occurring, mineral-rich elements from volcanic ash, rocks, soil, and sediment. Clays differ in color because each clay has a unique combination of minerals. Such minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and silica. It is because of this that clay masks should never be mixed in metal containers or with metal utensils. The minerals in the clay could react with the metal.
When clays are used topically, they attach themselves to bacteria and impurities from the skin and aid in elimination. This helps to leave the skin feeling cleansed, clarified, and balanced. It has been reported that continued use of clay masks can lead to clearer and tighter-looking pores. Clay masks can also provide relief to irritated and inflamed skin from rashes, sunburns and other skin disorders. Since clays are made up of minerals, they can restore essential minerals to the skin, promote cell regeneration, maintain moisture balance, and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, to name a few benefits.
When used in the hair, clay can remove product build-up from the scalp and strands and eliminate dead skin cells, flakiness, and excess oil.
How do I use clays?
A very important point to mention is that clays should never be allowed to dry thoroughly on the face or body. The longer they are left on, they will continue to draw moisture out of the skin; this can temporarily form wrinkles, fine lines, and overly dry skin. Depending on the liquid used to wet the clay, a general time frame to leave on the mask is approximately 10 minutes.
Additionally, because of the drying effect clays may have on the skin, some skin types may tolerate a mask only up to 1 time per week.
The rule of thumb is to Mix 1 part clay of choice with 1 part liquid to create a paste. This by itself will create a beneficial mask. However, substitutions and additions to this base mix can further enhance the benefits.
Some alternative wetting additives include floral water, Aloe Vera Gel juice, Green Tea, and different kinds of milk and milk products such as sour cream and yogurt or even mashed avocado.
Additional additives include non-comedogenic carrier oils to aid in extra moisture, essential oils, seaweed powder, dried herbs, and botanical extracts.
Recipe suggestions:
Excessive oiliness: combine 1 Tbsp. Of Clay with five drops of Jojoba Carrier Oil before adding water into the mix.
Invigorating mask: Mix together 1 oz French yellow clay + 3 TBL water ( or other wetting ingredient) + 1 tsp jojoba oil, 2 drops orange essential oil. Mix until a paste is formed. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
For a soothing face mask, Mix together 1 oz French pink clay and 3 TBL water or chamomile tea + 1 tsp jojoba oil and 1-2 drops of chamomile essential oil ( optional).
For a mineral bath, add ½ cup of French Green Clay or French Red Clay to a bathtub filled with warm water. This is reputed to soothe muscle aches, irritation, inflammation, or soreness.
For a foot soak that eliminates unpleasant foot odors, mix ½ cup of French Green Clay or French Yellow Clay with ½ cup of water and 2–3 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil. Apply the blend to the feet and keep them loosely wrapped in cling wrap for 15 minutes. After rinsing the feet with cool water, apply a moisturizer.
For a natural mask that is reputed to address blemishes, ( spot treatment ) mix 1 tsp. Of French Green Clay with Lemon juice to make a paste. Apply this as a mask to the face or affected area, and leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, then apply a moisturizer.
For a Clay mask that addresses the symptoms of acne, combine 2 tsp. French Red Clay,3 tsp. Plain Yogurt (Chamomile Tea or Peppermint Tea may be used instead), two drops of Lavender Essential Oil, and one drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil. Apply this mask in a thin, even layer to the affected areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. This mask can be left on for a longer period of time as the yogurt impedes the drying effect of the clay as in a water mixture.
Used in hair, French Green Clay is reputed to effectively eliminate dirt, product build-up, dandruff, and toxins, while balancing oil production to cleanse excessive oils without stripping the natural oils. Create a Clay hair lotion by combining 1 tsp. of French Green Clay, 230 ml (8 oz.) Milk and three drops of essential oil. Suggested essential oils include Basil, Rosemary, or Eucalyptus. Apply this lotion to the hair, starting at the scalp and smoothing down the strands. Leave this hair mask in for 15-20 minutes. In the shower, rinse it with lukewarm water and shampoo the hair as usual.
