CLAY or MUD? Why not both?

#1

The struggle of hovering around a drugstore looking for suitable product for my skin is no joke here, especially in Japan. No wonder why so many guys nag on us (girls!) taking too much time choosing a product, especially when there are so many offers, and Japanese language seems to make it impossible for foreigners (lol me) to understand their product thoroughly.

For me, on deciding on a skin-care product, I dont usually just base on what they offer or what is being promoted, like: "Smoother skin" or "Less pores", etc., but rather I look at the ingredients that are being used, seeing whether they fit my skin type and what effect as a whole it can give to my skin. Sound similar right? But lemme take an example of the Clay and Mud mask case here~

As I have heard so many people talking about Clay and Mud mask, but on asking them what is the sheer difference between these two, most of them cannot give me a clear answer. Rumour has it that these mask can help you to dry your nasty pores quicker so you can pop it out easier (eww), but the opportunity cost of that is you finding your skin easily dehydrated (because by drying your pores up those masks also dry your skin?). Is it true? Or is it just simply a misperception?

So here I am, in the middle of nowhere in Japan, ready to help you to understand more about these products!

Clay Mask

Characteristic:

• Clay is soft, loose, solid and moist earth

• Quite dry compared to Mud

• Need to spread cautiously with care on skin (especially those having thin skin) when applying because it can cause irritation if you put too much strength

• A cosmetic, drying skin agent

• Best cosmetic clays are pure one (not mixed with other ingredients) and are naturally dried in the sun, so do double-check your product ingredient

• Commercially, there are two types of clay (source): kaolin (a white or grey clay mainly made up of mineral kaolinite, resulting from the natural decomposition of other clays or feldspar, aka China clay) and bentonite (generally formed in the weathering of volcanic ashes, rich in montmorillonite {source}-meaning it contains aluminium, sodium and magnesium)

• There are many types of clay and its functions rely on its colour! aha..

• I notice that the most commonly used in skincare-product and makeup is kaolin

Benefit

• Good for drying the skin thus suitable for acne prone and oily skin

• Absorb excessive dirt and oil, refine skin by balancing skin texture

• Tighten pores and exfoliate skin

• Help to suck the gunk out of congested pores

• Tighten sagging skin, so a HUGE YES for skins with aging sign

• Expedite the healing of both enlarged and enflamed pores and early blemishes

• Whiteheads and blackheads be gone!

Kaolin Clay

• Green clay is more famous for exfoliating and pore-tightening than oil-absorption (no worry it still does the job well). It also helps with blood circulation and tightening your skin. It can be called Illite Clay or Sea Clay, the green color comes from the amount of decomposed plant material and iron oxide. Fit all type of skin types

• White kaolin clay is the gentlest with mild exfoliation & great for sensitive dry skin.

• Yellow kaolin clay is slightly more absorbent and exfoliating, helping with circulation-boosting but still remains gentle enough for sensitive skin.

• Red kaolin clay has the most absorbing and detoxifying power & is best for oily & acne skin, normal skin can also use this

• Pink kaolin clay is a mixture of the white and red kaolin clays with oil-vacuuming and soft exfoliation capabilities, thus an ideal balance for those with sensitive oily skin.

Bentonite Clay

(Just an example picture of Bentonite Clay in the market, I dont own it or use it haha...)

Bentonite Clay- common ingredient in many acne-addressing products. It works best by absorbing (source) and sucking all the excess sebum and dirt, thus suitable for oily skin. As I mention above, it has some magnesium, therefore it contains electric properties and acts like a magnet helping to attract toxins out of your skin. So it actually fit all types of skin that needs purifying and tightening!

Mud Mask

Characteristic

• water based so more hydrating, especially in comparison to clay masks

• more gentle on the skin

• a skin-healing agent

Benefit

• good for hydrating skin so suitable for dry, aging and dull skin

• some commercially-made mud masks contain minerals from the Dead Sea as well as honey, marine algae or green tea (yes Japan). In Japan they even have collagen and placenta extract in it…

• Help brighten the skin by getting rid of the dead skins

• Clean off dirt and impurities

• Soften skin

• Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that deserves attention in mud mask product, it acts as a lubricant that improves skin firmness and keeps your skin hydrated!

• Improve skin elasticity, boosting a young look!

Conclusion

So, NO, the two term CLAY and MUD cannot be used interchangeably, and each has its own functions.

Both are high in nutrition and get absorbed into skin really well! They are must-have items for all types of skin, and can be found in many types of skin care products such as soap, powder (wow) or even face and body wash! (Like the one I am using!!) It is important to know what types of skin you have to choose the right product and tackle your skin issue.

Which one do you have? Share your favorite product with me~

Thank you for reading, and stay beautiful!

*All pictures are just used to demonstrate the content, there is no advertising or marketing purpose in it

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