The Youth-Restoring Benefits of (the RIGHT) Facial Masks
by SixWise.com
Facial masks are a great way to condition, clean or treat the skin. With the variety of facial masks you can apply to your skin, anyone can use them for a multitude of benefits.
The type of mask you can use depends on skin condition. Since dead skin can prevent any type of beneficial treatment when it comes to face masks, a good choice is to use a scrub prior to the mask. The scrub step allows you to 'polish' your face first with sugar cane derivatives (glycolic acid) or fruit, and then the mask ingredients cleanse the new skin.
Oily skin gets a great benefit out of mud or clay masks, because the ingredients cleanse impurities causing acne. Clay facial masks and body treatments are mainstays of health and beauty spas all over the world. Today we use them largely for their ability to cleanse, detoxify and tone the skin, but ancient civilizations, well aware of the healing powers of the right types of clay, used clay for a variety of purposes, including:
- Native Americans used clay as body paint during religious ceremonies.
- They also used clay as a "transformation masque." When applied to the body, it was thought that the clay allowed energy, healing and wisdom to pass through it.
- Special preparations of clay were used to draw out poisons (from spider bites, bee and ant stings, poison ivy, etc.) from the body.
- Clay was applied to the body for deep cleansing and detoxifying of the skin.
- Clay was eaten with food to prevent stomach illness.
- Egyptians used clay extensively in their spiritual culture.
- Animals instinctively roll in mud or eat clay when wounded or ill.
Clay is such a popular ingredient in today's facial masks because it works in two ways. First, as the clay dries it draws out toxins and other impurities from the skin. At the same time, the minerals in the clay are absorbed by the skin.
The result is that debris is pulled out, pores and hair follicles are cleared, skin is exfoliated and it's left looking truly refreshed and with a younger, healthy glow.
In fact, some long-term care facilities are even embracing alternative therapies, including massage, acupuncture, tai chi, meditation -- and facials -- to help residents feel good. One such facility is the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System (JHHS) in Bronx, N.Y.
"I find my facial soothing, relaxing, and it keeps my skin in good shape," said William Cheatham, 90, while having a clay mask facial. "It is refreshing, and I'm hoping it will ward off rigor mortis."
The Right Kind of Mask
Of course, not all clays are the same, and to get the maximum benefits it's extremely important to use a clay that is rich in minerals and really capable of cleansing the skin deeply.
Rhassoul clay, found only deep beneath the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, has been used for over 1,400 years as a natural beauty treatment for skin and hair-even nobles in ancient Rome and Egypt took advantage of this remarkable beautifying clay. To first look at this reddish-brown cosmetic clay you would not think it was anything spectacular, but looks can be deceiving.
What Makes Rhassoul Clay Unique?
This clay is a smectic (or swelling) clay, which means that it's extremely absorbent-much more so than other cosmetic clays. In fact, it's made up of three layers with a water layer sandwiched in between. This clay has a unique ability to absorb tremendous amounts of water, which makes it ideal for cleansing and detoxifying the skin.
Further, Rhassoul clay contains higher percentages of silica, magnesium, potassium, calcium and other trace minerals than other clays. These minerals make the clay highly detoxifying as they can actually exchange themselves for toxic compounds like metals in the skin. So the clay not only works to remove impurities from your skin-it also replaces them with nourishing trace minerals. And, the clay's high level of ions exchange makes it ideal for toning and enriching the skin.
But perhaps the best part about Rhassoul clay is what it doesn't contain: petrochemical derivatives, no synthetic preservatives, no surfactants or artificial colors … all of which are common in commercial soaps and cleansers.
How is Rhassoul Clay Used?
Rhassoul clay can be used as a soap, skin conditioner, shampoo or mask for the face and body. It acts like a soap but leaves a sweet scent behind.
Two U.S. labs have conducted clinical studies on Rhassoul clay. After just a single use, users reported the following results in their skin:
- Less dryness
- Less flakiness
- Improved skin clarity, elasticity and firmness
- Improved skin texture
- Less surface oil
- Smoother skin
In short, Rhassoul clay is a superior compound for removing oil and impurities from the skin and hair, and that's why top spas around the world offer beauty treatments that contain it.
White Thai mud and White Vulcan clay (from the volcanic islands of Indonesia) are two such varieties. They have similar properties to French or Chinese clays, but because they are natural resources of Asia, they may have more mineral content than the more recognized facial clays.
Masks from Green Tea help calm irritated skin, especially after a deep cleansing facial. Facial masks are usually left on for no more than 20 minutes, and rinsed off with warm water. After rinsing the facial mask off, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face that works best with your skin type
The natural ingredients in facial masks are more concentrated than those in cleansers and lotions; hence, facial masks are more effective and produce more noticeable benefits to your skin.
The mineral-rich clays used in these facial masks draw out toxins, absorb excess oil, and tighten, smooth, cleanse and soften the skin, making pores look smaller, resulting in a brighter and healthier complexion.
For best results, facial masks should be used once a week. If you find it hard to remember your weekly mask, try incorporating it into a weekly relaxation ritual. You can incorporate soft music, candles, a warm bath ... anything you like ... and you'll get not only the skin-refreshing benefits of the mask, but also the health benefits of stress reduction.
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