A clay mask is a holy grail skincare product for oily skin - it does a great job at absorbing excess sebum for shine-free, mattified skin! Clay masks (including Australian clay masks) are great at temporarily shrinking pores so that skin looks absolutely flawless. Impurities and sebum-based grime are literally sucked out of the skin - here’s a guide to different kinds of oil-absorbing clay you’ll find in these masks.

The Different Types of Clay Masks

Clay masks differ by their actual clay - here are two common types you’ve probably tried before without knowing.

Kaolin

This is what’s found in Australian clay masks. It’s one of the most common types of clay and is one of the gentler types of clay out there, so it’s a fantastic option for all skin types.

Montmorillonite

This clay goes by a few different names - bentonite and volcanic clay-since it’s formed from volcanic ash. It’s more absorbent than Kaolin and better suited to oily and combination skin.

The same clay can actually come in different colours, depending on where it comes from! For example, the kaolin clay in Australia is pink, but in other countries, it’s white or green.

Ways to Use Clay Facial Masks

Did you know that clay facial masks could be used in more ways than just all over your face? One way to use them is as a spot treatment. Dab a bit of clay on a pimple that’s ready to pop - it’ll help dry it out.

Another is to use a clay mask just on the t-zone and a cream mask elsewhere - ideal for combination to normal skin types who find clay too drying for their entire faces.

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