Pink clay masks: “I’ve finally found one that doesn’t completely dry out my skin”

There’s no denying that clay is the hero ingredient. The mask contains a mixture of red and white kaolin clays, hence the pink hue. This mops up excess oil on the skin’s surface, as well as drawing out impurities like dirt and pollution from inside the pores. That’s why so many people have found it to be beneficial for acne, as it soaks up sebum and dirt which can lead to the formation of spots.

But there’s more to it. The mask also contains calming aloe vera, conditioning vitamin E, strengthening antioxidants and brightening vitamin C, which means in theory, it has enough in there to mitigate the drying effect of the clay. But does it work? Well, I decided to take this investigation to the next level, and try it out myself.

You can use the mask over the entire T-zone, but given it’s just my nose I want to focus on, I applied a 20p sized blob and blended it out onto the centre of the cheeks where the congestion continues. Then, I left it to do its thing and quickly, it started to dry out and crack. After ten minutes, I used warm water and a muslin cloth to rinse it away.

Normally, this is the moment I’d notice I’ve made a huge mistake as my skin starts to feel tight and dry. But this time? Not even slightly. In fact, my skin felt as hydrated as it does after using a serum-drenched sheet mask. Usually, clay would leave my skin matte, but this time around it was gleaming. As for the congestion? No, my blackheads hadn’t miraculously disappeared but after a few more uses, they are considerably fewer and further between, which means my skin looks generally brighter and clearer.

The brand advocates using the mask around three times a week, but if you have skin that leans towards the dry side like mine, I’d recommend using it once a week max, just in case. 

Fancy giving it a go yourself? The mask costs £30 and is available via Beauty Bay.