How Clay Can Radically Improve Your Skincare Routine and Why

“Clay acts almost like a magnet, and really draws everything out from underneath the skin,” says Sarah Inomata, skincare expert and international sales executive at boscia, the brand famous for its peel-off Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask, which combines the purifying powers of clay and charcoal.

“The main clay that we use is the calcium montmorillonite clay, sourced in France. It’s also known as bentonite clay and contains 67 different types of minerals – that’s what really digs deep into the pores.”

By leaving the mask on until it dries (about 20 minutes), then peeling it off, it takes with it many of the nasties that get under the skin’s surface on a daily basis – both visible and invisible.

“That’s why clays are so popular, especially in a mask format,” Inomata says, “because they’re applied quickly and they’re so powerful, but not in a harsh way.”

She recommends using a clay mask a couple of times a week, then you can ‘top up’ with a clay cleanser for daily use if you have oily skin. “It’s a less potent formula if it’s in a cleanser. So do your mask once or twice a week to get a deep clean, and then use your cleanser every day. You don’t want to ‘over-clay’.”