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Muddy Waters

by Alex Lucas
Skincare tips

There are plenty of reasons why mud masks and baths should be your skin's best friend.

Beauty trends may come and go, but mud masks and baths have been in fashion all over the world for thousands of years, and with all the perks they deliver, they aren’t going anywhere. Natural mud masks and baths deliver many nutrients and minerals to your skin to help it stay healthy, and as mud dries, it tightens skin while removing excess oils and impurities.

“The benefits vary with the base ingredients in the formula: charcoal is detoxifying, cucumber is soothing, coconut is hydrating, tomato is skin-clearing, grapefruit is brightening, blueberry is skin recharging, cotton helps minimize irritation, and primrose oil helps calm redness,” says Ingrid Jackel, CEO of Yes To. “You don’t have to be pigeonholed into one skincare category. For example, you can choose a mask to provide extra moisture one day and to help clear up skin breakouts the next. The skincare results from masking are immediate, which makes it so appealing!”

To get the most out of your mud, apply it on clean skin. “There is no best way to apply a mask as it depends on each person’s individual preference in terms of type of the mask formula they prefer,” says Jackel. “Since some mask formulas can be a bit messy, using a mask applicator, such as a brush or spatula, can make it mess-free and hands-free. Make sure to look for a natural formula and ingredients that suit your skin care needs of the moment.”

Mud is safe to apply as often as you want. “The use of masks has changed drastically over the years,” Jackel says. “They used to only be applied once a year or once a month as a special occasion. Now, masks have become part of the everyday skincare routine and are used morning and/or night.”

Give these a try.

Shea Terra Organics Ghassool Moroccan Lava Clay, $18; sheaterraorganics.com

Use this as a mask or face wash to treat oily skin and minimize acne and blackheads. In addition to purifying, it also heals and softens skin.


Odacité Synergie[4] Immediate Skin Perfecting Beauty Masque, $59; thedetoxmarket.com

The four synergies at play here are detox, firm, peel and brighten, courtesy of kaolin and bentonite clay, vitamin C and probiotics.

Tammy Fender Restorative Radiance Masque, $235; tammyfender.com

It smells like a spa in a jar, and feels like one, too. The mineral-packed clay base is rich with active floral waters of jasmine, helichrysum and rose.

Yes To Single Use DIY Powder-to-Clay Mask Collection, $2.99 each; ulta.com

The new line of DIY powder-to-clay masks allows you to create a customized spa moment at home—just add yogurt, honey, juice or fresh fruit with the built-in mixing bowl and spoon to reap the benefits. Pick the best option for your skin type: Detoxifying charcoal for a deep cleanse, coconut for mega moisture, cucumbers for calming sensitive skin, and tomatoes to fight acne.


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