Clays (or natural silicates), are the single most perfect base materials for facial masks. They stimulate circulation by generating heat as they dry, and promote toxin elimination (impurities are drawn out of the skin's tissues like a magnet, binding to the clay minerals). Clays are excellent for inflamed skin, because they restore it to its proper equilibrium. Clays are perfectly safe, but can tend to dry skin if used too often. We suggest no more than once a week. Please always use high-quality clays...superfine grade is best - like ours, and do NOT use pottery clay (!) it is not the same.

The Basic Facial Mask:

Easy to prepare, effective, and wonderfully relaxing! For preparation, you'll need:

1. a non-metallic bowl (glass is best)
2. a non-metallic spoon (wood is fine)
3. distilled water, spring water, or floral water (this is best)
4. desired clay - superfine (like ours) is best
5. essential oils, fruit juice, etc. (optional)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle equal amounts of clay and distilled water (or other liquid) into bowl
2. Mix until a soft paste is obtained
3. Let stand for several minutes so that the clay absorbs all the water
4. Add any other desired ingredients (depending on your skin type) like, essential oils, etc.
5. If the preparation is too liquid, add more clay - if too solid, add more water
6. Apply to the skin, covering the whole face except for the eyes and mouth area
7. Soak a cotton pad in water with 1 - 2 drops of German (blue) chamomile, or place a thick cucumber slice over each eyelid
8. Lie back and relax with feet elevated on a soft pillow (or place the pillow under your knees). 
9. Allow 15-20 minutes for the clay to completely dry (as long as the clay is wet, it is still working).
10. Rinse with warm water and pat dry
11. Follow with a spray of floral water

Variations of "The Basic Facial Mask" for Specific Skin Types:

Normal Skin:

Use either Moroccan red or rose clay mixture (a combination of Moroccan red and French white clay). Try adding pureed cucumber, or a little pureed avocado to the mix. Instead of water, try lavender, rose,  rose geranium, or chamomile floral water (these are appropriate for all skin types). For a particularly effective liquid, combine 2 parts mineral (try effervescent) or distilled water, 2 parts floral water, and 1 part aloe vera liquid. To the prepared paste, you might also add a few drops of hazelnut, jojoba, avocado, or sweet almond oil and a few drops of lavender, rose geranium, or chamomile essential oil.

Sensitive Skin:

Calendula herbal oil, natural honey, and our aloe vera golden gel can be added to the paste. Rose, neroli, German (blue) or Roman (domestic) chamomile are excellent essential oils for sensitive skin, too.

Dry Skin:

Use French white clay and try adding pureed avocado, cucumber, natural honey, plain yogurt, or even an egg yolk. For the liquid part, we recommended rose, chamomile, or neroli floral water. Rose, German (blue) chamomile, or neroli essential oils (our 7% solutions are just fine for this). Sandalwood is also recommended for dry and sensitive skin. A few drops of evening primrose oil can also be added. Try adding a freshly pureed peach or apricot to the blend.

Oily Skin:

Sea clay is the best for oily skin due to its high mineral content. Oily skin can tolerate mask treatments a little more often than dry or normal skin, so twice a week is recommended to deep clean, remove toxins, and stimulate circulation. An egg white or a little sea kelp (about 1/8 teaspoon) make nice additives. Again, floral waters are recommended - lavender, rose geranium, rosemary, and chamomile are all well suited for this mask. A few drops of rose geranium, ylang-ylang, niaouli (not to be confused with neroli), lemon, lavender, or rosemary essential oils can be added to the paste.

Acne/Problem Skin:

To your chosen paste, add the essential oils of ylang-ylang, rose geranium, lemon, niaouli, thyme (red or white), rosemary, or lavender. The masks can be applied every other day, then gradually decrease the frequency to once a week. If skin tends to become too dry, a moisturizer may be used after the mask.

Prematurely Aged/Wrinkled/Sun Damaged Skin:

To your basic paste, add one or a combination of - avocado, yogurt, kelp, evening primrose oil, or a few drops of carrot seed essential oil.

Body Clays:

Follow any of the same recipes above, except you'll need "lots" more clay! The clay should be applied about 1" (one inch) thick all over the body (avoiding sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and "private areas"). This will take no less than 1 hour to fully dry, so plan on some quality time alone with soothing music, meditation and/or prayer. An aromatherapy diffuser with a calming essential oil like lavender, sandalwood, or sweet orange would make it perfect.

When the clay has fully dried, just shower it off (will not harm drains) and follow with a fully body spray of any type floral water.