The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but unfortunately our skin can pay the price for indulgence and late nights. The rich food, alcohol, sleep loss and heavy party makeup can add up to clogged pores, dry patches, and dullness. Here’s how to make use of the healing properties of clay to breathe some life back into your complexion!
Common post-holiday skin issues
Dehydrated skin: we tend to spend more time indoors during the winter in heated environments, which draws moisture from the skin. The outside air is drier and colder, and biting winds can dry out skin quickly and redden the complexion. Increased consumption of alcohol and salty or sugary foods can also contribute to dehydration.
Less sleep: extra social events and parties mean that we lose precious beauty sleep. The skin carries out the majority of repair and renewal activity during the night, so disrupted sleep can mean that dead skin cells build up on the surface and blemishes take longer to heal. The skin may look dull, with puffiness around the eyes and cheeks.
Cosmetic overload: You may step up your beauty routine at this time of year, applying more products and wearing more makeup than usual to look great for parties and photographs. However, this can lead to clogged pores and breakouts of spots and acne.
How natural clay treatments can come to the rescue
Natural clay has been used for centuries as a cosmetic treatment to gently cleanse the skin and hair, rebalance natural oils and restore moisture without causing irritation. Kaolin clay is particularly popular for a deep-cleansing face mask, because it is gentle and suitable for all skin types, but also highly effective.
How to detox with a kaolin mask
Kaolin clay is very fine-textured, so it can first be used as a mild exfoliant to gently remove dead skin cells without any harshness, revealing the soft glowing skin underneath.
It also has excellent absorbent properties, and will soak up excess oil without upsetting the natural moisture balance of the skin. This makes it an ideal product for a face mask. You can simply mix it with a little rosewater or spring water to make a paste, or add some honey or natural yoghurt if you want a slightly higher level of hydration and softness.
When mixing the paste, use non-metalic utensils and containers, because metal will interfere with the ionic charge of the clay that gives it special absorbent properties. Apply a thin layer of the paste to your face, and leave it for ten or 20 minutes, or until it is almost dry but not completely.
Rinse off with lukewarm water and carefully pat your skin dry. Finish off with a moisturiser or serum to lock in hydration. Look for natural ingredients that won’’t counteract the benefits of natural clay, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or if your skin is very dry, shea butter.
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