Clay masks are part of the current treatments for oily skin, ranging from topical applications such as retinoids and salicylic acid to more advanced procedures like chemical peels and laser therapy, present their own set of challenges. Despite their efficacy, they are often associated with side effects like dryness and irritation and typically necessitate ongoing use to maintain results.
In light of the limitations of existing treatments, recent years have seen an uptick in research into less invasive treatments for oily skin. Notably, certain ingredients, including kaolin and bentonite, have shown promise in controlling oiliness without excessively drying the skin. Kaolin and Bentonite are known for their strong oil‐absorbing and impurity‐extracting abilities, which may be particularly beneficial for severe cases of oily skin and acne. Additionally, many clay masks incorporate other oil‐controlling ingredients, such as activated charcoal, recognised for its high absorptive capacity and ability to draw out impurities from the skin.
However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies examining the effects of these ingredients in combination over extended periods, making it important to understand their impact on the skin's oil production and overall health.
Results suggested that clay masks can be effective in mitigating prominent skin issues such as acne, hyperseborrhea, and skin dehydration, indicating immediate skin barrier enhancement. Various clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of commonly used clay minerals, including kaolin and bentonite for oily skin management, supporting the current results.
Topical formulations using clays as active components, like facial masks, applied to skin during a certain period, trigger a flow that transports metabolic products, cell particles, and bacterial toxins out of the skin to adhere to the clay. In addition, clay particles absorb excess of sebum, impurities and skin exudates, cleanse pores, and improve blood flow, thus enhancing oxygen and nutrients’ supply to skin.
The alteration of sebum composition by the oil‐absorbing ingredients present in the clay mask plays a critical role in managing acne development. A mask's key constituents, kaolin and bentonite, can effectively extract surplus oil from the skin, thereby attenuating sebum production and decreasing the likelihood of pore blockage.
Thermal spring water, another ingredient, offers soothing and anti‐inflammatory benefits, which could assist in alleviating acne‐associated inflammation and promoting skin healing. Furthermore, masks may contain additional elements that can assist with soothing the skin.
As clays are rich in iron, silicon, magnesium, titanium, and potassium, they present antibacterial, antiseptic, and regenerative efficacy; contribute to cell renewal; absorb impurities; and activate microcirculation, therefore, are suitable to be used as active compounds for numerous cosmetic products. The importance of those minerals in cosmetology stems from their assumed effects on skin, e.g., iron is an antiseptic and catalyses cell renewal; silicon helps to renew/regenerate and hydrate the skin; zinc and magnesium are invigorating; potassium acts on circulation and tissue invigoration; titanium is used as a UV filter
There is compelling evidence for the efficacy and safety of the clay mask in managing skin conditions related to acne and oiliness, while promoting skin hydration and texture improvement. The clay mask demonstrated significant improvements in key skin parameters including the reduction of both open and closed comedones, sebum content, and transepidermal water loss, alongside enhancements in skin evenness and stratum corneum water content.
Not my own work. Note that italics, in this article are mine The above article is taken from:
Zhang, X., Zhang, Z., Tao, H., He, X., Hsu, K., Wang, W., Fang, X., & Steel, A. (2023). Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin. Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 29(11), e13513. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13513
with another helpful article:
Sarruf, F.D.; Contreras, V.J.P.; Martinez, R.M.; Velasco, M.V.R.; Baby, A.R. The Scenario of Clays and Clay Minerals Use in Cosmetics/Dermocosmetics. Cosmetics 2024, 11, 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11010007
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