How often should you use a clay mask? A guide for oily and combination skin

Clay masks are one of the oldest skincare products there is. Used well, they leave oily skin looking less
shiny and feeling clean. Used too often, they leave it tight and uncomfortable.

What a clay mask actually does

Cosmetic clays such as kaolin (white clay) and illite or montmorillonite (often sold as green clay) absorb
oil and hold it as they dry. A review of clay minerals in skincare describes that absorbency, along with
their soft texture, as the main reason they are used in masks and cleansers (Moraes et al., 2017).

What a clay mask can do: absorb surface oil, make pores look less noticeable for a while, and leave skin
feeling smoother. What it can’t do: permanently shrink pores, or pull “toxins” out of your skin. Pore size
is mostly genetics and age.

How often, by skin type

Skin type	How often
Oily	2–3 times a week
Combination	Once or twice a week, on the T-zone only
Normal	Once a week
Dry or sensitive	Every week or two, and short sessions

How to use one

Cleanse, then apply an even layer to damp skin, avoiding the eye area.
Leave it for around 10 minutes. Don’t wait for it to crack: over-dried clay pulls moisture from the skin
and feels tight.
Rinse with warm water and a soft cloth.
Follow with a hydrating serum and moisturizer.

Our Clay Mask for Pores and Blackheads
blends white and green clay with aloe juice and sodium PCA, so it absorbs oil without the stripped feeling.

Mistakes to avoid

Masking every day. More isn’t better; it just dries skin out.
Skipping moisturizer afterwards. Even oily skin needs water in it after a mask.
Scrubbing and masking on the same night if your skin is sensitive. Alternate them.

Sources

Moraes JDD, Bertolino SRA, Cuffini SL, et al. Clay minerals: properties and applications to dermocosmetic
products and perspectives of natural raw materials for therapeutic purposes. A review. Int J Pharm.
2017;534(1–2):213–219.

Cosmetic information, not medical advice. Patch test new products.