I've never been a fan of clay based masques, because I have dry skin and they really just don't work for me, but after being contacted by Claytox, I was willing to give their product a go and was offered a full masque kit to trial.
I was actually really excited to try this – I wound up picking the Alumina Silicate Sea Clay which was recommended for dry skin, and I couldn't help but feel like Louis Litt during a mud session!
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The kit includes:
+ 100g Clay Masque [4+ applications]
+ Silicone Bowl + Spoon
+ Soft Bamboo Applicator Brush
+ Canvas Bag
+ 100g Clay Masque [4+ applications]
+ Silicone Bowl + Spoon
+ Soft Bamboo Applicator Brush
+ Canvas Bag
Alumina Silicate Sea Clay
This green clay is an inorganic compound, despite what any marketing will tell you. Chemically speaking, it is a mineral made up of aluminium and silicon oxide, plus a water molecule or two. This particular product claims to also contain trace elements such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and bromide, suspended in the clay that settled at the bottom of the Dead Sea millions of years ago, harvested and washed to cosmetic standards.
This masque is indicated for dry skin, something clay isn't really for, but who knows until you try it out?!
Claims
This masque claims to draw out oil (which clay is really good at doing) and impurities to provide a deep cleanse; act as a gentle exfoliator; soothe inflamed skin; reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores; rehydrate dry skin; and improve circulation.
How To Use
The instructions say to fill the bowl to the line with water and add three spoonfuls of clay. Leave the clay for 5 minutes to draw in the water and thicken, then apply to skin with the included brush. Allow to dry for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with tepid water.
I found that following the preparation instructions left me with a lot of left over product, so I tried to desperately use it up by putting some on my arms, where there was a bit of photodermatitis that needed soothing. I even applied some to my Mum's arms, where she has a slightly scaly texture, but unfortunately she had an adverse reaction and had to rinse it off immediately.
The second time I used the masque it, I took photos of the application and removal process. I used less water and clay, but also added two drops of Argan Oil to see if it would help my skin not feel so tight afterwards. It worked okay, but I was still left with too much product, so I applied it to my arms again, and to my neck. The third application saw me use even less water and clay, except I wound up putting too much Argan Oil in. Because oil and water don't mix, it didn't help as much as I thought it might.
From the get go, the rinsing part was fine, it came off rather easily with a wet cloth and didn't make too much of a mess. Overall, it really deep cleansed and exfoliated my skin, rather than soothed and hydrated it. I do get clogged pores on my nose, and they improved, but overall, it's too drying.
And the fourth time I used it, I mixed it in with a cream cleanser (that had papaya enzymes in it) and a bit of water. I was almost certain that this was the best way for me to use it because it didn't dry me out completely. Unfortunately, the brush died and shed all over my face as I was applying it this time and then I had a really BAD adverse reaction – to the cream cleanser being left on my skin for longer than it usually would. Ouch!
I will praise that the drying process (when mixed with only water) gives a sort of face lift. Not to the extent of having a Microcurrent treatment or using My Perfect Facial, but it's a really good facial workout!
The instructions say to fill the bowl to the line with water and add three spoonfuls of clay. Leave the clay for 5 minutes to draw in the water and thicken, then apply to skin with the included brush. Allow to dry for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with tepid water.
I found that following the preparation instructions left me with a lot of left over product, so I tried to desperately use it up by putting some on my arms, where there was a bit of photodermatitis that needed soothing. I even applied some to my Mum's arms, where she has a slightly scaly texture, but unfortunately she had an adverse reaction and had to rinse it off immediately.
The second time I used the masque it, I took photos of the application and removal process. I used less water and clay, but also added two drops of Argan Oil to see if it would help my skin not feel so tight afterwards. It worked okay, but I was still left with too much product, so I applied it to my arms again, and to my neck. The third application saw me use even less water and clay, except I wound up putting too much Argan Oil in. Because oil and water don't mix, it didn't help as much as I thought it might.
From the get go, the rinsing part was fine, it came off rather easily with a wet cloth and didn't make too much of a mess. Overall, it really deep cleansed and exfoliated my skin, rather than soothed and hydrated it. I do get clogged pores on my nose, and they improved, but overall, it's too drying.
And the fourth time I used it, I mixed it in with a cream cleanser (that had papaya enzymes in it) and a bit of water. I was almost certain that this was the best way for me to use it because it didn't dry me out completely. Unfortunately, the brush died and shed all over my face as I was applying it this time and then I had a really BAD adverse reaction – to the cream cleanser being left on my skin for longer than it usually would. Ouch!
 |
| Chemical burn from papain (papaya enzyme) in cream cleanser being left on the skin for around 30 minutes. Never again. |
I will praise that the drying process (when mixed with only water) gives a sort of face lift. Not to the extent of having a Microcurrent treatment or using My Perfect Facial, but it's a really good facial workout!
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Thoughts?
In retrospect, I don't think this masque does much for me. Clay absolutely has its place in skincare, however, I don't feel that it was a suitable product for my skin when mixed with just water – I will continue to trial different emollients to reap the benefits of the clay without the excessive drying. I love the little kit with the bowl, which will definitely get used in the future, and I'm really gutted about the brush though, because it's so soft and gentle.
However, I do not endorse any of the claims made on the website regarding what [bentonite] clay can do for physiological "detoxing" purposes. Surely enough, there's suggestion that it improves wellbeing when ingested and there's also the whole spiel about alkalizing the body, which from the scientific community is considered to be pseudoscience. I do give credit that a specific toxin was named on the website, instead of just the general "toxin" trope.
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In retrospect, I don't think this masque does much for me. Clay absolutely has its place in skincare, however, I don't feel that it was a suitable product for my skin when mixed with just water – I will continue to trial different emollients to reap the benefits of the clay without the excessive drying. I love the little kit with the bowl, which will definitely get used in the future, and I'm really gutted about the brush though, because it's so soft and gentle.
However, I do not endorse any of the claims made on the website regarding what [bentonite] clay can do for physiological "detoxing" purposes. Surely enough, there's suggestion that it improves wellbeing when ingested and there's also the whole spiel about alkalizing the body, which from the scientific community is considered to be pseudoscience. I do give credit that a specific toxin was named on the website, instead of just the general "toxin" trope.
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Claytox Clay Masque is available in three other varieties:
+ Activated Charcoal (Oily Skin)
+ Kaolin (Sensitive Skin)
+ Mediterranean Cacao (Normal Skin)
Alumina Silicate Sea Clay - $39.95AUD - available from claytox.co
+ Activated Charcoal (Oily Skin)
+ Kaolin (Sensitive Skin)
+ Mediterranean Cacao (Normal Skin)
Alumina Silicate Sea Clay - $39.95AUD - available from claytox.co
Have you tried any Claytox masques? Let me know what you think!
This product was supplied as a PR sample for review, my thoughts are honest. This post is NOT sponsored.
For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.
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