Clay and mud masks are gaining in popularity around the world. However, as these masks become more commonly used, you will need to be able to make hard decisions between the many options available to you.

You’ll have to decide which option is the best for your skin, which can be challenging to do if you don’t know much about the main ingredients in these masks – the mud or clay that is the star attraction!

 

Types of Natural Mud and Clay

There are various types of mud and clay that are used in beauty products, including (but not limited to):

• fuller’s earth (also known as multani mitti)
• French green clay
• bentonite clay
• rose clay, or French pink clay
• rhassoul clay, also known as Moroccan lava clay
• kaolin clay
• Dead Sea mud
• Brazilian clay
• green zeolite clay
• volcanic mud
• moor mud
• Icelandic silica mud

With so many options available to choose from, narrowing down the list to the options that are best for you requires you to be familiar with some of the more common muds and clays you will find and face and body masks.

 

Best Natural Muds and Clays

1. Dead Sea Mud

This is perhaps the best-known option when it comes to muds and clays for your face and body. Dead Sea mud contains 21 minerals and is sourced from – you guessed it – the dead sea in Israel.

There are many purported benefits to this mud. It has been said to be able to soothe back pain and treat arthritis. Additionally, it has been known to help improve skin conditions like psoriasis, treat acne (including body acne), reduce impurities in the skin, and more. When buying products with deep sea mud, make sure to check that the ingredients have been sourced from Israel.

 

2. French Green Clay

As the name implies, this clay comes from France. It boasts amazing oil absorbing properties and is also commonly used to provide a natural color to face masks. If you’ve got oily skin, check to make sure your clay or mud mask has this ingredient. It’s also extremely effective at purifying your skin, which makes it great for treating breakouts.

 

3. Bentonite Clay

One of the most popular types of clay for skincare products, bentonite is made using volcanic ash. While this clay is produced around the world, the biggest producer of bentonite is the u.s. In fact, the clay gets its name from fort benton in Wyoming, which is a major source of this ingredient.

Bentonite boasts a variety of advantages, including as a detoxification ingredient for your skin, a treatment for oily skin, and more. Bentonite is also great at staving off acne breakouts, including back acne and body acne. It also helps tighten skin and helps you look younger.

 

4. Kaolin Clay

Kaolin is a fine, powdered clay that is available in a variety of colors, including white, red, pink, yellow, and more. Each of these variations possesses its own properties.

However, in general, kaolin is one of the most gentle clays available. It is great for people of all skin types and is especially effective for people with sensitive skin. Though it absorbs less liquid than other options, it is still great at 

Drawing out impurities from your body and helping boost blood circulation.

 

5. Icelandic Silica Mud

This mud is sourced from – you guessed it – Iceland. It is a thick, white mud that is highly regarded for its ability to treat psoriasis. It is so well-known for this, in fact, that there is a psoriasis treatment clinic located near one of the main sources of this mud, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

Aside from being a treatment for psoriasis, Icelandic silica mud is also known for being extremely effective at detoxifying and cleansing the skin. Some research indicates that it may be able to help treat premature skin aging, improve the barrier function of the skin, and more. 

The silica in the mud helps keep your skin supple and strong. Icelandic silica mud isn’t purely used for face masks and is often used as body mud masks as well.

 

6. Rhassoul Clay

Found in the Atlas mountains in morocco, this brown clay is also known as moroccan lava clay. The term “rhassoul” is derived from the arabic word for “to wash,” which indicates just how widespread the use of this mud as a skin mask is in morocco.

The clay is rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium and has been known to be effective in improving skin elasticity, absorbing impurities like sebum, treating blackheads, reducing the risk of acne, and more. Aside from use in skincare, rhassoul clay is also often used in haircare to help restore volume, exfoliate the hair, and build shine.

 

Malibu Mud Dark Sea Face and Body Mask

One solution to the challenge posed by having to decide between these ingredients is choosing a mud and clay mask that uses a combination of muds and clays that are most beneficial for your skin.

One such option is Malibu Mud, Dark Sea face and body mask. 

This mask is made from a combination of 10 natural ingredients, all of which are transparently mentioned on the label. With malibu mud, you never have to worry about being confronted with hidden ingredients.

Among the ingredients in this mask are three of the muds and clays mentioned above – dead sea mud, kaolin clay, and bentonite clay. All ingredients are responsibly and ethically sourced and are free of parabens, chemicals, and additives.

All of this means that Malibu Mud, Dark Sea face and body mask is great for all skin types. It is gentle and hydrating to the skin and comes pre-mixed, so you don’t have to wait even a moment before using it. Unlike other options, this mask can be used on your face and body every day – in fact, it’s so effective that you can even replace your daily use bar soap with this mask!