Clay masks work wonders to clear skin of impurities, and I know people swear by the cheap drugstore stuff but I can’t get down with it. I used Queen Helene’s Clay Mask a few times, but found it irritating and frankly, it stunk. Like literally smelled too strongly to tolerate having on my face. As I got older and more ingredient conscious, I revisted the product and realized why I never liked it. The ingredients are: Distilled Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Iron Oxides, Fragrance, Methylparaben. Meh. There are way better products out there than the drugstore junk, and they are worth a look. Today, I’m reviewing a clay mask from Evan Healy.
Consistency?– Comes in loose powder form. Smells earthy and strongly of green tea.
Use?– In a plastic or ceramic bowl (not metal), combine with purified water to a medium soft consistency for spreadability; add liquid a little at a time and allow it to absorb into the clay, then mix well. Apply with a spa fan brush or an inexpensive flat pointed foundation brush. I’ve also mixed it with rose water or a bit of aloe vera for extra soothing properties to calm redness in the skin or a bit of jojoba or argan oil to help buffer the drying effect of the clay on dry areas or sensitive skin.
How much does this product retail for?– $24.95, available online through Evan Healy and nationally at Whole Foods, locally at Perelandra Natural Foods (Bklyn).
What can you expect from this product? – (from the Evan Healy website)
- A natural exfoliating alternative to harsh acid treatments or peels
- A deep-action cleansing mask with the antioxidant properties of powdered green tea leaves the skin feeling clean, light and refreshed
- Actively draws pimples and blackheads to the surface, helps to purify out bacteria, minimizes appearance of pores, balances excess oil leaving skin clear and balanced
I keep this mask on hand to help me clear up sudden breakouts, like the one I had on my chin this past week after reacting to a new sunscreen on vacation. I have large pores, oily skin, and am prone to cycstic acne. After two days of applying this treatment with a few drops of tea tree oil added in, the swelling and redness have gone down considerably to where the breakout is barely visible. Use this mask as a spot treatment to treat acne, or all over to lift blackheads, rebalance the skin’s oil level, tighten pores, and firm skin.
Bunk or Buy?- BUY! It’s a great product and a little goes a long way.
Overall: A