Mud-based face masks: what are the benefits of «healing clay»?
17.10.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
When you first hear the word «healing clay», it sounds pretty great. But what is it exactly? What is it supposed to be able to heal, and how? Keen to find out for myself, I did some research and experimented with a variety of organic products from Cattier Paris.
The idea that mud could be good for your face is nothing new. In fact, as far back as Ancient Egypt, people would use the mud of the Nile to treat skin diseases. With so-called healing clays still used in various cultures, the success story continues to this day.
A long-known natural remedy, as yet unsupported by scientific evidence
Despite this, there haven’t yet been any clinical studies on the efficacy of these treatments. In other words, there’s no scientific evidence to support their curative effects. Even so, clay is officially approved as a natural remedy. In Germany, authorities only require proof that the remedy has been used traditionally for at least 30 years and has no harmful effects. The product needs to be natural, uncoloured, unmodified and suitable for medical use.
Healing clay or betonite clay, as it’s also called, can be used externally and internally. In this article, I’ve focused on its external application, i.e. its effect on the skin.
Rock minerals and trace elements for cleansing the skin
Healing clay is extracted from loess (pulverised rock), loam soil or natural clay deposits. It consists of minerals such as magnesium, iron and calcium, as well as trace elements such as selenium, copper and zinc. This is exactly what gives the clay its healing properties. It can absorb pollutants and toxins, acting like a sponge to bind and eliminate toxins in the body. The substance cleanses the skin by removing excess sebum, helping to prevent spots and blackheads. Not only that, but it can also have a healing effect on inflammation and sunburn.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Green, white, red: different colours for different applications
Clays come in different colours depending on their composition of minerals and trace elements. The contents of the clays depend on where they’re extracted. As a result, they have different primary uses:
White healing clay, also referred to as kaolin or china clay, is particularly suitable for sensitive skin. While it doesn’t contain iron, it does boast a calcium and silicate content.
Red healing clay can help with inflammation due to its higher iron content.
Pink healing clay is a mixture of white and red clay, combining the uses of both clays.
Green healing clay is high in copper and is well suited to face masks and skin peels.
Blue healing clay is kaolin (white clay) that’s been dyed with ultramarine, a deep blue colour pigment.
In a bid to find out just how effective these clays are, I set about trying them myself. I choose natural cosmetics produced by Cattier Paris because the company offers a variety of products made with healing clay. A Kneipp subsidiary, the brand uses natural, certified organic ingredients, doesn’t do animal testing and packages their products in recycled containers.
Here are the products I took a closer look at or tested for myself: a scrub with white healing clay, green and pink healing clay masks, a day cream, a night cream, a hand cream and two toothpastes containing healing clay.
Less redness, softer skin
The day cream contains pink clay, which is immediately apparent when you see its pale pink colour. It feels nice when it’s rubbed into the skin, and it absorbs quickly. On the other hand, the smell might seem unusual at first. Right from the off, it’s evident the manufacturer has steered clear of perfumed additives. The scent is subtle, unobtrusive and natural. If you ask me, it’s very pleasant.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
A rejuvenating sleep
The night cream also makes use of pink clay’s soothing effect. Pink clay is a mixture of white and red clay. The night cream is similarly unobtrusive in scent and feels pleasant on the skin. After two weeks of dutifully applying the day cream in the morning and the night cream in the evening, I notice a positive change. My subjective verdict is that my skin really is softer and smoother. Not only that, but I have less redness and fewer blemishes.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Say goodbye to dead skin
Face cleansers
Quantity discount
CHF11.40 per piece for 2 units CHF119.–/1l
Cattier Gommage Argile Blanche
Exfoliation, 100 ml
The white healing clay (kaolin) scrub consists of silicon (40%),
aluminium (35%) and potassium (3%) and promises to remineralise the skin. After using it, I really do get the impression that my skin looks refreshed and more supple. Another plus point in my book is that the «scrubbing» effect is achieved with bamboo powder rather than microbeads.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Masks for dry skin
Face masks
Quantity discount
CHF7.65 per piece for 3 units CHF85.–/1l
Cattier Masque Argile Rose
100 ml
In addition to its clay, the pink healing clay mask contains aloe vera, flaxseed and sunflower oil. It feels light when applied, and after leaving it on for ten minutes, I was easily able to rinse it off with lukewarm water. My skin feels lovely and soothed afterwards. Now that central heating season has kicked off, bringing dry-skin season along with it (at least in my case), the cream’s moisturising effect is especially pleasant.
Test: what do men have to say about the healing clay mask?
The green healing clay mask contains silicon (40%), aluminum (25%), iron (12%), potassium (8%), calcium (8%) and magnesium (4%). To guage its effect, I asked two men for their opinions on the product. Their feedback was similar to my own experience. Their skin felt relaxed after use, not too greasy and not too dry, as if its moisture content had returned to normal. The feeling lasted for about 48 hours.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Plant power combined with clay
The healing clay hand cream is my favourite of the products I tested. It contains white healing clay, Brazil nut oil and other oils extracted from jojoba, sunflower, evening primrose and macadamia. My hands often get really dry, a condition the cream has a long-lasting positive effect on. It smells slightly of citrus, but again, it isn’t overbearing – I don’t like creams with too strong a scent. The cream makes my hands smoother, dry patches becoming a thing of the past.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
How about brushing your teeth with clay?
The most unusual of my healing clay products are definitely the toothpastes. Cattier Paris carries two varieties in its product range – one with propolis (bee resin), the other with sea salt and lemon essential oils. Propolis is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Nevertheless, it failed to win me over when I put it to the test. The consistency takes some getting used to, as does the taste, which leaves you in no doubt that the toothpaste contains clay. With the lovely, lemon-flavoured toothpaste, on the other hand, it’s a different story. Trying it out, I barely notice any difference compared to conventional toothpastes. Its pleasant texture and feel have earned it a long-term spot in my bathroom cabinet.
Source: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Science editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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