I’ve discovered another use for clay masks, and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t think of it before!
The clay can be used as a pimple spot treatment. It works by drying the pimple out, helping it heal faster and reducing a lot of the redness and inflammation of the pimple. Clays work by drawing the toxins out of the skin, so it’s drawing all the bad stuff out of the pimple into the clay. When you wash the clay off you’re washing the toxins off too. The clay is also very drying (which is why you normally only keep it on your face for five to ten minutes), so using it as a spot treatment on your pimple overnight really dries it out.
I’ve been mixing a small amount of white clay with organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) and dabbing it on my pimples at night before I got to bed. The ACV has anti-bacterial properties so it works well mixed with the clay.
You don’t need to use white clay. I just chose that color because it’s the most gentle out of all the clays so I figured if I’m having something on my skin all night it’s better to have something gentle. You can use any color clays. Read this article for an outline on what each different clay is good for.
The clay spot treatment shows better results for those ‘normal’ pimples. You know the ones – they turn red and angry and eventually form a really embarrassing little head. I had two of those last night and one large pimple underneath my skin on my chin. I found the clay mask worked a lot better at calming down the angry pimples, but didn’t do a lot to the big one underneath my chin. I don’t know how well it would work for cysts or nodules either.
Just between you and me, the other added bonus of using the mask as a spot treatment is when you look in the mirror you can see a dab of mask not a big red pimple which is strangely not as bad psychologically AND it makes sure you don’t pick or squeeze your spot because you can’t see it.
Here’s a video I also recorded for YouTube on this spot treatment.
Happy spot treating!
Fran
Fran
22 responses ↓
I have done this in the past, it just simply occured to me, no one told me about it. It does work I have tried cheap clay mask from drugstores. However I did a no-no that you mentioned on this vid.
I used the Proactiv mask, a light layer on my face, and left it overnite. The problem was I had an appointment with a facialist in the morning and she realized how tight my pores was, I told her what I had done, I got a scolding. :)) I didn’t get such a great absorption of the products she used in my session because of it.
However, it did work in shrinking my pores especially the ones I have around my nose and on my nose. I plan to do it again because my pores have enlarged even more these past few yrs. I’ll be buying a better brand maybe the white one you suggested. Thank You!!
I’ve bought a very expensive clay mask (45 pounds!!!) that the seller claims is from israel, and a 100% pure. I was told that it penetrates the 7 layers of skin and sucks all the impurities out and dries them from the inside. However everytime I use it, I get pimples the next day (because it probably does bring impurities to the surface but its definitely not drying them from the inside out). I’m not using it too often and have a whole line that goes with it. After the clay mask, I use the peeling mask and moisturize. Since the guy claimed to be a skin specialist and seemed to know what he was talking about, I trusted him but I feel pretty ripped off now spending a 140 quid on a line which has done nothing for me. Haha sorry this post doesn’t really have anything to do with your blog, its just a rant.
Hi, I just had a quick question. I watched your youtube video demonstrating how to make a cucumber and white/red clay mask. You mentioned in it that this mix is great for calming down red, irritated skin.
I also watched you video blog that highlighted the benefits of antibacterial apple cider vinegar and a clay base.
I have a few problem spots that are very red and also keep on poping out white-heads (hurray!).
I’m wondering if you would recommend the cucumber mask, or the apple cider vinegar mask, or if there is any harm in mixing all three ingredients: clay, vinegar, and cucumber.
I want to get rid of these ugly white pimples but also decrease inflamation and redness.
Please let me know!
Thank you so much! I love your website, blogs, articles, books, etc!
The best results I have ever seen with using a clay mask was a brand called “Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay”. Every three days I would mix it equal parts with apple cider vinegar, and leave it on for like 20 minutes.
Also I had just started using a new regimen. . . it consisted of washing my face with a gentle foaming cleanser, then I would put tea tree oil on my skin, then finally jojoba oil. I have had acne for the past three years of my life, and this was the best I had ever seen my skin. People were actually telling me how much my skin had improved.
But then I ran out of the clay, and I kinda stopped doing this regimen, and my skin just went to hell all over again.
I just recently purchased that same clay, and a bar of Cycilc Silver Soap. I am curious to see how my skin improves from these products.
Okay I am rambling.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog FRAN!!
So, clay masks have to be “mixed” and prepared? In other words, you can’t buy a clay mask or acne spot treatment that you can just squeeze out of a tube or jar, and put on your face?
Gary, I’m certain there are ..I haven’t personally looked for one because I love making it up myself, but I’m sure mixes are available.
Are there any alternatives to aple cider vinegar??????
Hi Komal, ACV is a natural anti-bacterial and it dries out the spot which is why I use it. You can substitute it for manuka honey or tea tree oil, or anything else that is a natural anti-bacterial.
[...] a plus that it is so inexpensive. And I have been using eggs, honey, oats, cucumbers, avocados, apple cider vinegar and clays for spot treatments and masks. I am also contemplating Miessence products, but the [...]
iv found tooth paste is really good for drying out pimples as well but not the gel ones, onlyn fluride ones, but you want to make sure you only put it on your spots because it is very drying to the skin.
hi fran,
thanks for the info!
just wondering if you could tell me what ratio of white clay powder to AVC you use? and also if i want to add some pure tea tree oil, how much should i put in?
Also, I tried woolworths and coles and a fruit market for young coconut and couldnt find any!! is it seasonal? any suggestions of where else i can look?
ta
Fran,
I apologize if I’ve missed the answer to this somewhere else, but do you let your clay masks dry on your face? Or is it better (and just as effective) to keep them moist.
-L-
I am going to try this! Will let you know how it goes.
That is so funny and true how you mention the psychological benefits of seeing CLAY instead of the blemish…I have always felt the exact same thing but never really realized it until I read your description. Good article on clay in general
[...] How To Use Clay Masks To Spot Treat Pimples [...]
hey Fran I asked u like a month ago about a cleanser I was making out of clay. I was thinking of using apple cider vinegar in it, which ha a 5% acidity. is this ok to use on the face in a cleanser? thank you!
Cleansers are great a little acidic because the skin on our face is naturally acidic! Go for it :) x
Hello,
i have acne scars on my face and every day a new pimple occur,after one day its clear but marked remain still .thats look very ugly.plz avice .i hope u give better advice.i also treat my acne but 7 months later its appear again.let me know i take egg in breakfast.is this anti for skin.or shall we take or not.
you leave the mask on overnight? wouldn’t that damage your skin?
Nina I only leave it on overnight as a spot treatment, not an entire mask
Where do you buy the different clay masks? I’ve been looking around and there are so many different brands both expensive and non expensive. Which one is your favorite?
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