Natural clays have been used since earliest recorded history to heal skin.5 Clay’s popularity as a skincare ingredient has remained consistent because of its unmatched ability to cleanse, purify, and exfoliate skin. Although there are countless varieties of clay, clay is essentially a soft fine-grained mineral substance that sops up excess oil and coaxes nasties (such as dirt, toxins, and pollutants) out of pores. While buffing away dead skin cells, clay also energizes the skin by improving blood circulation. In turn, increased blood circulation helps iron out those pesky fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin pleasantly plumped. In short, clay is a vital ingredient to any skincare regimen and can be found in many of Beauvivo’s products. However, clays vary in absorption levels, so it’s imperative to first understand your particular skin type.
WHAT'S YOUR SKIN TYPE?
Normal skin is the ideal and skincare should be targeted towards maintaining its balanced state. Those with normal skin may experience an occasional hormonal breakout, but their skin is generally spot-free and retains the same moisture levels throughout the day.
Oily skin tends to appear shiny and is prone to clogged pores, which usually result in non-inflammatory acne (blackheads and whiteheads) and inflammatory acne (red angry cystic spots). Breakouts may occur indiscriminately on any part of the skin.
Dry/sensitive skin often lacks radiance and is prone to redness and eczema. Your skin may feel tight and even rough. This skin type also tends to “drink up” most moisturizers, leaving skin feeling parched only a few hours after application. Dry/sensitive skin can also experience some irritation, stinging, and redness when unsuitable skincare products and cosmetics are used.
Those with combination skin find that their forehead, nose, and chin areas tend to get oily, while their temple, cheek, and eye areas tend to feel dry.2 Combination skin requires more targeted care. The key to balance is to treat the needs of each part of the face. For instance, you may want to use an oil-free moisturizer on the whole face and layer a facial oil only on your cheeks.
WE INCORPORATE A VARIETY OF CLAYS IN OUR PRODUCTS TO ENHANCE YOUR BEAUVIVO EXPERIENCE!
Once you’ve assessed your skin type, you can choose products containing the clays that will be most beneficial to your skin.
Kaolin, Rose, and Brazilian clays are most suitable for normal or dry/sensitive skin types. These clays tend to be mild. Kaolin, a fine powder clay, is best suited for those with dermal sensitivities because it tends to absorb less liquid than most other clays. This simply means that while drawing out toxins and impurities, Kaolin clay leaves the moisture level of your skin in tact.
Rose clay is a type of Kaolin clay that gently absorbs oil and detoxifies skin.
Brazilian clay, which comes in a wide range of colors based on the mineral content of the soil from which it is collected, is also a type of Kaolin clay, and provides moderate absorption.
Sea, Green Zeolite, French Green, Bentonite, Blue Cambrian, and Rhassoul clays are most suitable for normal or oily skin types. These clays have strong absorptive qualities.
Sea clay, which is a grayish green hue, is derived from mud on the sea floor and is used for its cleansing capabilities.
Green Zeolite clay has a thicker texture than most clays, and is comprised of zeolites, which are microporous minerals formed when volcanic rock and ash react with alkaline groundwater.
French Green clay’s color derives from decomposed plant matter (chlorophyll) and iron oxides; this clay is finely textured and absorbs oil exceptionally.
Bentonite clay is derived from volcanic ash and is able to absorb more than its mass in water. Bentonite clay is an ideal additive to shaving soap, because of its silky texture. Bentonite clay is also often used in conjunction with activated charcoal, which draws dirt, toxins, and other pollutants to the skin’s surface.3 Activated charcoal is also used for its adsorptive qualities. Adsorption, not to be confused with absorption, is a “process of attraction, binding, and accumulation of molecules or particles to a solid surface in a condensed layer.”5 To break it down, the icky stuff hiding in your pores is drawn to activated charcoal like a magnet. When you wash away the activated charcoal, all those nasties go down with it.
Blue Cambrian clay is another popular clay for its natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making it ideal for those with acne. Blue Cambrian clay assists in both blood circulation and lymph drainage, and can even be used to boost hair growth!1
Rhassoul clay is another silky clay, and is mined from beneath the Atlas Mountains of eastern Morocco. Rhassoul clay contains a high percentage of silica and magnesium, which makes it luxe to apply, as well as effective.4
Beauvivo’s line-up utilizes many of these clays, but we’re constantly working on new formulations. Keep an eye out for more of these clays as we roll out new products!
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1”All About Cambrian Blue Clay.” 2017. http://bluecambrianclay.ru/all-about-blue-cambrian-clay-short-english-version
2“Determing Your Facial Skin Type & Care Guide.” Women’s Health, 16 Sept. 2009. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/dry-skin-oily-skin-combination-skin-normal-skin
3Early, Alexandra. “What Does Charcoal Do for Skin?” Livestrong.com, 2 Jan. 2016. http://www.livestrong.com/article/550610-what-does-charcoal-do-for-skin/
4”Rhassoul Clay.” Mountainroseherbs.com. 2017. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/rhassoul-clay/profile
5Williams, Linda B., and Shelley E. Haydel. “Evaluation of the Medicinal Use of Clay Minerals as Antibacterial Agents.” International Geology Review, vol. 52, no.7/8, 2010, pp. 745-770.