What a weird fall! It’s been so hot and humid. It has really caused my skin to go crazy. And crazy in a way that I’m absolutely not used to. Like I’m oily?! And I’m getting these weird little whiteheads. Like, my skin just feels dirty and grimy.
Usually my skin needs moisture. This means I stick to gel masks/packs or sheet masks. I typically find clay masks to be too drying for my skin. With this odd transitional weather, my skin may need clay.
Vanity Planet is a skincare/wellness brand that specializes in things from beauty gadgets to haircare tools to products. I’ve tried three of Vanity Planet’s Clay Masks.
These are actual clay masks. So, you’ll need to mix them. How to use? Mix 1/2 to 1 tablespoon with water OR apple cider vinegar. Apply paste and leave on skin until it partially dries. You don’t want to wait for it to completely dry on the skin because this is typically too drying for your skin. I apply the masks after double cleansing and toning. I washed them off with a warm wash cloth after 7-10 minutes of wear. I then followed with my usual routine of serums and moisture. The only thing I changed about my routine was adding these masks.
Zen Goddess Green Tea Clay Mask
Best for: Those with hormonal acne (me, me!)
Look/Appearance: It’s a white shade with a greenish undertone. The fragrance is a super faint green tea.
My experience: The light green tea scent is noticeable with this on on the skin. But, I love the fragrance. This formula is drying but it wasn’t too drying. So many clay masks leave my skin bright red immediately after use. This one didn’t. It did “de-grease” without wrecking my (sensitive) skin. Those weird, gross whiteheads weren’t there the next day. I don’t know if it was this mask or not, but I’m not complaining. It was something.
Ingredients: Colloidal Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf, Illite, Fragrance
Wild Woman Activated Charcoal Mask
Best for: Congested, acneic and/or excessively oil skin types.
Look/Appearance: It is a light purple-grey with no noticeable scent (no scent has been added).
My experience: As expected, this one is drying. I still haven’t found a charcoal mask that isn’t…that’s their point. On my skin, it’s a bit “too much”. It does better as a spot treatment (on breakouts) or on areas that are more prone to oiliness. The drying effects last long into the next day. I definitely noticed the next day that my face makeup lasted longer. There’s no way I can use this for 97% of the year but I will continue to use it as a spot treatment when needed.
Ingredients: Colloidal Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Activated Charcoal, Black Iron Oxide
Flower Child Rose Moroccan Red Clay
Best for: Unbalanced skin types that want to deep cleanse and exfoliate.
Look/Appearance: It’s a pale, muted pink with a rose-y aroma.
My experience: I’d compare my experience with this one to that of Zen Goddess. However, trade out the green tea aroma with that of a faint rosewater. it is a drying mask but not overly drying (if you don’t overuse it). My skin did feel less grimy/oily even into the next day. It also felt incredibly smooth, like it was buffed. If you look at the formulas of the two, they’re similar. However, this one does have pink illite which I think accounts for the softness/smoothness.
Ingredients: Colloidal Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Illite (Pink), Fragrance (Rosewood)
Clay masks aren’t my favorite because they typically aren’t for my skin type. Also, they are messier than slapping a sheet mask onto my face. However, these seem to be what my skin needed right now during this oddly humid, warm “Victoria’s skin is going bonkers” time of the year. I’d recommend these to anyone with an oilier skin type that is looking for a natural skin treatment or something “simple” (without a long list of ingredients).
As you can see, these come in a jar that is sort of Glossier-ish because of the colors used in the marketing. When mixing any clay mask, I highly recommend using a cheap little bowl so you can mix the wet and dry ingredients thoroughly. I also love silicone spatulas because they are so easy to clean after use.
Each 1 oz jar retails for $22 at Vanity Planet. There’s also a trio that goes for a discounted/promo rate.
Additional info: Products are cruelty-free and made in the USA.
Do you use clay masks? If so, what are some of your favorites and what ingredients do you look for in a clay mask?
For years I used a clay based mask. It worked great at shrinking my acne, but it dried my already dry skin out badly. I did some research and found out it was the sulfur in the mask that cleared up my skin not so much the kaolin. So, now I just use a 10% sulfur ointment as a mask a couple times a week.
Oh, interesting! Where do you get the sulfur ointment from? I could use that for a spot treatment or at least preventive in those trouble spots. (Or times like right now, as a mask).
I’ve found that not letting the clay mask dry really helps with keeping my skin balanced. However, some clays are soooo drying. I guess they help more with a texture. I do feel “smooth” afterwards.
I use De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment and I’ve been buying it from Amazon. It doesn’t dry down like clay masks, and it smells funky, but it’s a small price to pay. lol. Also, I’ve found colloidal oatmeal mixed with a little bit of honey to be a great gentle physical exfoliator when my face starts to feel rough and I want to smooth things out.
Thank you! I will put up with smelling like fire and brimstone if something works or makes a difference.
This brand is available at our local drugstores for super cheap (like $3). I’ll pick up a jar the next time I’m out. I absolutely adore their rose-glycerin water. I use it for everything.