Green Clay Powder..help!

[Needfulthings]

Hi,
I recently bought some Green Clay powder from essentially oils and would love to try making some face masks (for home use initially!). But I have know idea what to do with the stuff. Sorry if I sound really ignorant, but do I just mix the clay with water and then add my essential oils? Could anyone tell me howmuch water and clay should be used together? I also wondered whether it would be suitable to add carrier oils to themask?

Thankyou! xx

 

[tiny_lil_hottie]

Hi Missy,

I've never actually used green clay mask but I've used other types of clay masks and if it works in the same way, it would be better for you to mix it with rose water, orange flower water or witch hazel depending on the skin type your working with. Witch hazel for oily skin and rose water for dry sensitive skin. Although theres no reason why you couldn't use a natural spring water too. Just add the water to the clay until it reaches a nice consistency (not too thick or thin). Then just add the oils. If you wanted to add carrier oils it should be ok just be careful you don't make the mixture too oily though, especially when used on oily skin. Best thing to do is experiment, try out different things and see which works best. Good luck.

Staranise

 

[Typical Teenager]

Thanks Staranise, you've answered everything I need to know and I'm ready and eager to do some mixing now. Quite excited actually
Thankyou xx

 

[sweedishpolar]

Hi missy

I have found that green clay is very good for drawing and I use it regularly for clients with arthritis, it is quite astringent so if you have sensitive skin it might be too much. When I apply green clay in a compress I do add a vegetable oil as it makes it last longer on the skin I would then add my essential oils to the paste.
I personally have sensitive mature skin so don't use green clay in a mask but here are a couple of recipes I use for masks:

70ml of Rose water to 80gr of clay

for sensitive skin: 20ml of Chamomile water, 45ml of spring water and 75gr of white clay(which is less astringent and softer).

You can also add a small amount of vegetable oil to eitther recipe or you can put a thin layer of oil (Apricot is good) to the face and then add the mask.

I have used green clay in the bath and its great for cleansing the skin just add a couple of hands full to your bath.

Enjoy using clay

Love and light

 

[The Nameless]

This appiles to any clay, but particularly green clay since it can be so drawing. A clay mask can be very nourishing to the skin if kept damp, even green clay. You can use steam to keep it moist, either a steamer or a damp hot towel placed over the face (you can put one layer of tissue over the clay so it doesn't come off all over the damp towel). Keeping the clay moist is the challenge. If it dries, it is drawing impurities and also what it just nourished the skin with out of the skin.
The old face masks, where it cracks if you smile, aren't that good for your skin, you want a damp mud, that you wipe off damp. Not letting it dry also makes it easier to remove, and if you have the one layer of tissue, it's even easier).

All the above instructions on how to mix it are great you can also put an oil (carrier oil with essential oils) on the skin BEFORE you apply the mask, that way you know the essential oils are on the skin rather than on the outside surface of the mask.

Leeting abit of green clay on a pimple dry out can be great for drawing it out, you just don't want to do it all over your face.

 

[Hazza]

Thanks for the excellent advice Cola and Essence. I have recently finished my aromatherapy course (awaiting results) and find that I learn so much from this forum and the more experienced therapists like yourselves. Cola, I found it very interesting that you use the clay for clients with arthritis (I can see why it may help). Can you clarify how you use it? Do you make up the paste with the eo's and carrier and then use a warm,wet flannel to dip into the clay before applying to the joints? How long roughly would you leave it on? Oh dear, now I'm off on another tangent!
Thanks again xx

 

[SeequeKasuame]

Hi missy

I use the clay as a paste, I mix up the required amount with a suitable hydrolat (perhaps chamomile for its anti-inflammatory properties) with a small amount of vegetable oil (Meadow Sweet oil for its analgesic properties) I then add the essential oils and apply the paste directly to the joint. I then wrap the joint up with cling film and bandage it and leave for a few hours. The client then will wash it off at home and reaply if required.

You can make the clay into quite a thickdough and keep it in cling film so that you just break a bit off when needed (you need to mix the clay with some oil in the mixtureto achieve this though). In France you can buy the clay already made up like this in tubes. This is how I give it to my clients so that they can use it at home. You also could make up a runnier version and pop it into a jar so that they can apply it like a mask.

There is a good book that I have on clay and when I can remember where I put it I will let you know the details.

Hope the above helps

Love and Light

 

[Irvinrexs]

Hi essence,

I will definately give this a try for my mother who has arthritis. I would love the details of the book if you get a chance. Right now, I'm getting ready to make a mask for my poor, unsuspecting boyfriend
Thanks again
Missy

 

[voinlybob]

Just to add my experience with clays (have used green and pink clays). I have done as others have by mixing with hydrolat, but to avoid the mask drying out too quickly I add either honey or yoghurt - it makes it much easier to remove and perhaps a little kinder to more mature skin. Have fun.

Piglet