White clay for the face: benefits and harms, properties, application, reviews

White clay is called kaolin. This mineral is a product of rock destruction. It is used in construction, pharmaceuticals, and the production of cosmetics. White clay has many beneficial properties, which is why it is used for skin care - often in the form of various multi-component masks.

Composition of white clay

Slightly alkaline white clay, or kaolin, is highly valued in cosmetology. It benefits all skin types, has a beneficial effect on hair and body, and almost never causes harm. And perhaps this is due to the unique composition of the product. It contains:

silica is the main beneficial element responsible for the healthy functioning of cells and good absorption of nutrients by the skin;
zinc is an antioxidant that slows down skin aging and has a drying effect;
manganese is a chemical element that allows you to normalize the oiliness of your face and disinfect its surface;
substances potassium and calcium;
magnesium and nitrogen;
aluminum.

Kaolin: what's inside

Nature has endowed kaolin with a whole “bouquet” of microelements that are beneficial for skin health. For example, it contains zinc, a well-known antioxidant that fights the harmful oxidizing effects of free radicals. It has a drying, brightening effect on the skin, mattifies and evens out the complexion. What else is white clay rich in?

Silicon. Stimulates the production of collagen, which is responsible for maintaining the elasticity of the epidermis.
Manganese. Degreases the skin and gives a noble matte finish.
Aluminum. It has a lifting effect, making facial contours clearer and the upper layer of the dermis smoother.
Calcium. Nourishes the skin at the cellular level, takes an active part in metabolic processes, making the skin silky.

Useful properties of white clay

The properties and benefits of white clay for the face are especially well known. Kaolin:

regulates collagen production and rejuvenates the skin;
helps cope with inflammation and eliminates bacteria;
has a scrubbing effect and smoothes the skin;
improves complexion and eliminates bruises and bruises;
accelerates blood circulation and removes swelling;
dries out too oily skin;
helps get rid of cellulite in problem areas of the body.

White clay can be used not only to combat existing problems. Kaolin is an excellent remedy for prevention.

The properties of white clay for internal use are useful - kaolin helps with intestinal and stomach ailments, eliminates heartburn and cleanses the body of harmful substances.

How to use kaolin for cosmetic purposes

Using white clay as a mask is very simple: just dilute it with water to form a paste. You can leave it like that and use it in its pure form. You can also enrich the mixture with honey, vegetable oils, herbal powder, other types of clays, yolk, milk, berries, avocados, depending on the purpose of the mask and the desired effect.

For face

It is important to remember that masks with kaolin are applied only to cleansed skin. Even better results can be achieved by holding your face over the steam for a few minutes to open the pores. Then treat the skin with a natural scrub or ubtan, which you can prepare yourself.

For hair

White clay diluted with water is also applied only to slightly damp hair and left for about 30 minutes. Sometimes kaolin can replace shampoo.

For body

Before using kaolin paste for the body, it would be a good idea to take a hot bath and rub well with a towel. Steamed skin will better absorb nutrients from the healing mixture.

Technology for using clay face masks

There are many recipes for masks based on white clay, but they all use the same technology.

Before the procedure, remove all makeup from the face, ideally cleanse the face with a soft lotion.
Kaolin is distributed evenly over the face, with the exception of the area near the eyes. The skin here is especially delicate, and when it dries, the mixture can injure it, causing harm.
How long to keep kaolin in order for it to be beneficial depends on the type of face. If the epidermis is dry, then 5 minutes will be enough; for oily skin, it is permissible to wait 20 minutes.
When removing kaolin, it should never be cleaned off the face in dry form - hard pieces of the dried mixture can scratch the skin, and the procedure will cause harm. The face should be lightly sprinkled with cool water. The mask will soften and can be washed off thoroughly.
Since the face will be quite dry after using beneficial kaolin, the epidermis should be treated with a moisturizer.

Attention!
Even for oily faces, you can use the properties of kaolin no more than three times a week. If your face is dry, then it is recommended to limit yourself to 1 procedure per week. Constant use of the product can cause harm.

For dry skin

Non-oily and irritation-prone skin types require cosmetics with nourishing ingredients.

A product made from white clay, boiled water and liquid honey

Ingredients you will need:

kaolin - 20 g;
boiled water - 30 ml;
liquid honey - 10 g.

Preparation of the mask:

The clay is mixed with boiled water to the consistency of a liquid slurry.
Honey is heated and carefully poured into the mixture.
The finished mask is used for approximately 10 minutes.
The product is washed off with cool water. The face is lubricated with moisturizing cream.
This mixture, made at home, perfectly nourishes the skin and gently cleanses it.

Moisturizing kaolin mask with fruit puree

This product gently nourishes dry skin.

Required Ingredients:

kaolin - 1 spoon (large);
olive oil - 1 spoon (large);
thick sour cream - 1 spoon (large);
fruit puree from banana or apples - 2 spoons (large).

Rules for preparing masks

White clay is a useful cosmetic product that requires a respectful approach. If kaolin is diluted incorrectly, the material will be wasted. Even if no harm occurs, the properties of the product will not bring any benefit either.

It is necessary to dilute the useful product in a ceramic or glass container. Metal bowls are not suitable in this case, because the minerals in kaolin may react with them. There may be no harm from this, but white clay will lose its beneficial properties.
The water for diluting the mixture should be clean, boiled and warm, but not hot. The finished product should remain semi-liquid in consistency, like sour cream.
White clay should be applied to the skin immediately after preparation. The product hardens quickly and in its dried form no longer contains any benefit, but can even cause harm.

The benefits of white clay for the skin will only appear if the epidermis is healthy. If the face is irritated, kaolin will cause harm - severe itching and inflammation will occur.

It is recommended to use the benefits of white clay for the face no more than 10 times in a row. After this, it is advisable to take a break for a month and, if necessary, repeat the beneficial course later.

Recommended reading: What is collagen useful for and what is it for?

Applications

Clay applications at home are usually used as part of a complex treatment for focal or total alopecia. They help to quickly and significantly improve the condition of the scalp and stimulate the activity of “dormant” hair follicles, making new hair growth possible.

The clay mixture for applications is made thicker than for a mask. It is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin in a thick layer (1-2 mm).

The application is not distributed over the hair, but the head is also thoroughly insulated. You should not leave the clay mixture on the skin for more than 30-40 minutes. And before washing it off, you need to moisturize it very well so as not to injure the skin.

The following can be used as active ingredients for the anti-hair loss application:

nicotinic acid – expands capillaries, improves blood circulation, stimulates hair growth;
aloe extract – prolongs the life of hair follicles, moisturizes the skin well, accelerates the process of cell regeneration, has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect;
propolis tincture - it has a lot of useful properties: antibacterial, antifungal, healing, vasodilator, etc.;
essential oils (rosemary, ylang-ylang, chamomile, sage, thyme, calendula, etc.) - they are able to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and heal it, as well as add vitality and shine to damaged and thinning hair.

Remember that alopecia is often caused by health problems or skin conditions on the scalp.

Therefore, it is better, before starting a course of treatment with clay masks, to try to find out and eliminate them yourself or with the help of a doctor.

Recipes for face masks with white clay

Kaolin goes well with most natural products used in cosmetology. Therefore, there are a lot of recipes based on white clay - for all situations and all types of faces.

Moisturizing mask with cottage cheese

The following useful product based on white clay will soften and moisturize dry epidermis:

mix a large spoonful of kaolin with the same amount of low-fat cottage cheese;
add a large spoon of sour cream;
pour the ingredients with 3 large spoons of milk and stir thoroughly.

Keep kaolin on your face for no longer than a quarter of an hour to avoid harm, then carefully wash it off. In addition to moisturizing, the benefits are also manifested in light whitening properties.

Nourishing mask with honey

The properties of another mixture will deliver useful substances to the deep layers of the epidermis:

a large spoonful of kaolin is mixed with a teaspoon of liquid honey;
the mixture is diluted with water until it becomes semi-liquid;
The product is applied to the face for only 10 minutes.

With regular use, the skin will become soft and silky and will stop flaking.

Whitening mask for age spots

To make your skin tone lighter, 2 large spoons of kaolin should be diluted not in water, but in kefir. Add a little chopped fresh parsley and a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture. You need to keep the mixture for about a quarter of an hour or less if the skin is dry, otherwise instead of benefit there will be harm.

Acne mask

To eliminate acne, it is recommended to dilute 1 large spoon of white clay in water, and then add 4 drops of essential lemon oil to it. Kaolin will have a disinfecting effect and will also dry out the epidermis. In order for the beneficial properties of white clay for the face to be more pronounced, it is recommended to lightly steam the skin first.

Purifying mask for blackheads

Blackheads cause aesthetic harm to even a very beautiful face, but white clay easily gets rid of them too. It is recommended to mix a large spoonful of kaolin and bodyaga powder, dilute the ingredients with clean warm water and leave on the face for 10 minutes.

Beneficial properties will penetrate deep into the pores and eliminate impurities. In addition, the pores will narrow slightly, which will prevent the appearance of new blackheads.

Pore tightening mask

Enlarged pores on the face not only look unsightly, but also increase the risk of irritation and inflammation - dirt and germs often become clogged in wide pores. This mask will be of great benefit:

2 large spoons of white clay are mixed with the same amount of olive oil;
add 1 large spoon of lemon juice;
Add a couple of drops of essential peppermint oil to the mixture.

The useful product is distributed over the face and kept for the standard time - up to a quarter of an hour, depending on the type of face. Then the mixture is washed off and the skin is treated with a soothing cream.

Rejuvenating anti-wrinkle mask

The beneficial properties of white clay allow you to specifically smooth out fine wrinkles and significantly rejuvenate your face. You need to mix the following ingredients - 3 teaspoons of kaolin and a large spoon of honey, and then dilute the ingredients with milk to the desired consistency.

Mask for oily skin

The benefits of white clay are manifested in its ability to regulate the oiliness of the epidermis. To eliminate greasy shine and cleanse pores, you need to mix a couple of large spoons of white powder with fresh aloe juice, squeezed from one leaf. The beneficial mixture is diluted with water to obtain the required thickness and spread over the cleansed face for 10 minutes.

Aloe will have a cleansing and disinfecting effect, and the properties of kaolin will dry the face and tighten the pores, so the effect will become noticeable almost immediately.

Mask for dry skin

Contrary to stereotypes, the benefits of white clay for facial skin also manifest itself in dry epidermis. Its properties can have a moisturizing effect if prepared correctly - mix 1 large spoon of kaolin with half a spoon of honey and half a spoon of olive oil.

If the product turns out to be too thick, you can dilute it a little with plain water. Oil and honey will soften the epidermis, and white clay will saturate it with all useful substances.

Nourishing product for normal skin

With this delicate mask you can remove fine wrinkles, cleanse your face, and significantly tighten pores.

Components:

egg white - 1 pc.;
fresh banana - ½ piece;
milk - 30 ml;
kaolin - 20 g.

Manufacturing and application technology:

The slightly warmed milk is poured into the clay powder and mixed.
Grate the banana and chop it using a blender.
The fruit is placed in the prepared mixture, protein is added.
The mask is used for more than 10 minutes. Gently wash off.

Regular use will noticeably refresh the skin after 2 or 3 treatments.

Recipes for masks with white clay for hair

The benefits of white clay are mainly used to improve skin condition. But the properties of white clay are also useful for hair - kaolin strengthens hair roots, awakens dormant follicles to growth, fills curls with strength and restores volume.

Hair growth mask

The benefits of white clay for hair are clearly manifested in the following composition:

2 large spoons of white powder are diluted in good natural beer;
add egg yolk to the mixture and mix the components thoroughly;
The product is applied to the curls and left for 40 minutes.

For a better effect, you can wrap your head with film and a towel over it. Afterwards, rinse your hair thoroughly; you can use a mild shampoo. With regular use of the product, the volume of curls will soon increase, as previously inactive bulbs will begin to grow.

Hair loss mask

With a lack of nutrients, hair begins to weaken and fall out. The beneficial properties of kaolin and medicinal chamomile help to cope with the problem.

A handful of dry chamomile is poured into a glass of boiling water and left for a quarter of an hour.
The finished strained infusion is poured into 2 large spoons of clay and stirred until the mass becomes homogeneous.
The mixture is thoroughly rubbed into the hair roots and distributed along the entire length of the curls.

We recommend reading: Camellia oil: benefits, methods of use for hair, recipes

After applying the product, you also need to wrap your head warmly and leave the mixture for an hour, and then rinse it off. Chamomile and clay will not only deliver beneficial substances to the hair roots, but will also help regulate the oiliness of the scalp, thereby preventing the occurrence of dandruff.

Firming mask

A problem that women often face is split ends and overall hair fragility. To strengthen curls, the following composition will benefit:

3 large spoons of white clay are diluted in warm water;
add a spoonful of burdock oil and egg yolk to the mixture;
The product is quickly stirred and distributed throughout the hair.

You need to keep the healing composition for about 40 minutes, wash it off with shampoo so that there are no traces of clay left on the hair.

Reviews

Review from Nadezhda, 37 years old. I have been using white clay masks for many years and I will say that this is a wonderful product. It gives hair a natural shine and makes it soft and pleasant to the touch. I make masks once a week for three months, then take a month off. After all, our grandmothers knew a lot about folk remedies.
Review by Galina, 29. I haven’t tried applying it to my hair, but the clay works wonders on my face. It dries out inflammation and evens out the complexion. I like to add mineral oils to it. You keep it on your face for about 15 minutes and you don’t need any expensive creams.
Review from Yulia, 34 years old. I'm surprised people don't know about white clay. In my family, both my mother and grandmother used it. I've known about it since childhood. As a teenager, clay helped me deal with acne. Clay masks helped cope with rashes before menstruation. I apply it point by point and they dry quickly. I’ve been doing this for my hair once a week for many years. My hair looks great, I never even had dandruff. I highly recommend it.
Review by Valentina, 25 years old. I discovered white clay when my hair started coming out again in the spring. A colleague advised me to make masks with eggs and vitamins B6 and B12. Within three weeks, my hair returned to normal. The main thing is to find your suitable composition and do not forget to apply balm, because sometimes after clay it is difficult to comb your hair.

White clay for cellulite

One of the most useful properties of white clay is that the product effectively helps remove the unsightly lumpiness of cellulite on the body. White clay draws out toxins and waste from the epidermis, eliminating their harm, removes excess fluids and salts, relieves swelling and increases the elasticity of the skin.

To combat “orange peel”, white clay wraps are mainly used. The procedure can be carried out using white clay alone, or you can mix kaolin with honey, cream, cinnamon or essential oils, which will provide additional benefits.

For example, a remedy made from 3 large spoons of clay, 1 spoon of cream and 1 spoon of honey is beneficial. The mixture is distributed over the previously cleaned body in problem areas, the treated areas are wrapped in cling film and placed under a warm blanket for 40 minutes. After the expiration date, the clay is washed off with water. It is best to repeat healing wraps every other day, then by about the 10th session the beneficial properties of the procedure will have an obvious effect.

Important! To eliminate cellulite, baths with the addition of white clay and massage are beneficial.

It is especially useful to combine and alternate all 3 procedures; there will be no harm from this.

Important Rules

But no matter which way you choose to use clay, first of all you need to know the important rules that must be followed when working with it:

It is better to buy white clay (kaolin) in pharmacies, herbal markets or cosmetic stores, since there it is sold in purified form without foreign impurities.
It is diluted with water at a temperature from room temperature to 37-40°C. Because when it’s hot, its beneficial properties are weakened, and when it’s cold it will curl into a ball.
The thickness of the mixture should resemble homemade sour cream: too liquid will run off, and too thick will not be distributed evenly throughout the hair.
The benefits will be greater if you use milk, herbal infusions, green tea or thermal water to dilute kaolin.
The finished mask with clay should be immediately applied to the head, starting from the roots and skin, extending down the entire length.
The head must be insulated, then the effect of using clay powder will be much stronger.
You can leave the mask on for up to 2 hours; you cannot leave it on overnight.
After you have thoroughly rinsed your hair from clay, it is advisable to apply a moisturizing spray or a light leave-in fluid to it to avoid severe drying.
On the day of using clay, it is advisable to avoid aggressive procedures: coloring, curling, hot styling and even hot air drying - let your hair rest and restore its natural protective layer.

Important! The hair mask with white clay is washed off without using shampoo. If it contained a lot of natural oils, you should first apply a small amount of a good balm and lightly massage your hair.

Sometimes, especially on light-colored hair, a yellowish tint remains after using kaolin. Usually the problem is solved by additionally washing the hair with high-quality shampoo. But for damaged hair you have to use tinted balms.

But the hairs “strengthened” in this way break less and become denser.

How to take white clay internally

Kaolin has not only cosmetic, but also medicinal properties. The benefits of white clay internally are manifested in the treatment of heartburn and gastritis; kaolin relieves symptoms of poisoning and eliminates parasites. But to avoid harm, clay must be used according to strict rules.

A large spoonful of white powder is diluted in a glass of water. You do not need to drink the clay right away - first, leave the glass for several hours until the kaolin settles to the bottom. A certain amount of useful particles will dissolve in the water itself, and the properties of such a liquid will be beneficial when taken internally.
The benefits of edible white clay will be if you drink no more than a glass of clay infusion per day. In total, treatment should last 3-4 weeks, in case of serious illnesses - up to 6 weeks. If used for too long, harm may occur.
At the same time as drinking the infusion, you need to drink a lot - at least 2.5 liters of clean water per day, so that the kaolin does not cause harm.

Advice! The benefits of white clay for the body will appear if you dilute it in water, juice or tea, but you should not use milk for the drink.

Cosmetic clay: how to use for face and body

Making a clay mask couldn't be easier! You just need to mix the clay with water and you're done. You can mix the powder with anything:

Warm water;
Mineral water;
Milk or cream;
Green or black tea;
A decoction of herbs and so on.

It is better to use glassware or, in extreme cases, plastic. It is better to avoid metal clay, since clay loses many important and useful substances in it. The consistency should be like sour cream (20-25%), such a density is very convenient to apply to the skin - it does not flow or drip.

Harm of white clay and contraindications for use

The properties and use of kaolin rarely cause harm - clay has almost no contraindications. However, in rare cases, an allergy is discovered. Therefore, before the first use, it is necessary to carry out a test - apply a little diluted kaolin on the bend of the elbow for 20 minutes, then rinse and wait another day. If irritation does not appear, there is no need to worry about allergies.

Poor quality clay powder can also cause harm. Before purchasing, you need to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer and make sure that the kaolin is mined in an environmentally friendly area.