Skin Care

Green, Pink, White: Try All The Colours Of The Clay Rainbow

Clay has been used as a quick and effective ingredient in skincare for thousands of years all over the world. It is a star ingredient that comes in loads of colours, thanks to different mineral properties, and they all meet different skincare needs. Here's your colour-coded clay guide to help you understand which one to use for the different skin types and concerns.
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Violet Clay

A mixture of several natural clays that are rich in silicon and low in mineral salts, violet clay purifies the skin, whilst reducing inflammation. Its properties are very similar to those of white clay, making it particularly suited to sensitive and delicate skin. Blue clay oxygenates the skin, great for people who live in polluted areas, blue clay oxygenates asphyxiated skin by removing impurities and toxins.
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Green Clay

Green clay, often called French green clay, is the most commonly used in skincare and it's great for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. It is a bio-mineral that is made up of both decomposed plant material and trace minerals, and as such is naturally rich in calcium, aluminium, and magnesium. This helps to purify, regenerate, and detoxify the skin while controlling excess sebum. It is also a highly effective antibacterial, making it an all-round great skincare product.
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Pink Clay

A subtle blend of red and white clay, pink clay is the gentlest of all the clays, which makes its cleansing action fantastic for sensitive and irritated skin. Rich in trace elements, which include kaolinite, iron, and calcite, pink clay aids regeneration of skin cells, and used once a week it will calm and moisturise the skin
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White Clay

White clay is essentially kaolin, and is known for its gentle cleansing qualities. Its silica-rich properties make it brilliant for softening, purifying, and cleansing sensitive skin without irritating. It doesn't draw out oils, so is ideal for dry skin, too.

For example, the Pure Clay Mask by L’Oreal Paris contains Kaolin and Montmorillonite Clay that absorb environmental toxins and dissolve impurities to reveal a thoroughly cleansed skin. The montmorillonite clay in the Charcoal Pure Clay Mask is infused with Japanese Charcoal Actives to act as a magnet and draw out impurities, environmental toxins, and dirt from the skin.

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Red Clay

Thanks to its complex range of minerals, red clay is highly absorbent and has excellent exfoliating properties. It has been used for centuries to help restore radiance to tired faces, even out skin tone, close pores, and smooth skin. If you are susceptible to blackheads, regular treatment with red clay will work wonders. You'll also notice a difference if you suffer from dry, flaky skin.
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Black Clay

Known for its iron-rich content and oxygenating properties, black clay contains active cleansing ingredients that nourish skin and eliminate toxins. It is also rich in magnesium and calcium and is great for combatting blocked pores and smoothing out wrinkles.

Yellow Clay

Recommended for sensitive and mature skin, yellow clay stimulates and tones, thanks to its mineral composition. Its manganese content gives it a regenerative action and its silica stimulates collagen production. This natural anti-wrinkle treatment also improves cell oxygenation, to brighten the complexion and tone the face.