Hydrating Clay And Charcoal Masks

While these detox skin, they have traditionally been incredibly drying. So it seems like an oxymoron to call them “hydrating”. But the new ones do give your face moisture.

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While these detox skin, they have traditionally been incredibly drying. So it seems like an oxymoron to call them “hydrating”. But the new ones do give your face moisture.

Some simple science about how detoxifying masks work: Toxins have a positive charge; clay and charcoal have a negative charge. The negative draws out the positive, which is how the skin detox happens.

But while they’re good for clearing out toxins, clay and charcoal are also notoriously drying. Your skin is now clean, but it is also dry, tight and even flaky. Why? Because the mask has sucked up both the bad stuff and moisture from your skin.

The new detox masks are more balanced. They’re even nourishing enough for dry skin. They have hydrating ingredients such as honey (in Origins’ Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask) as well as glycerine (in L’Oreal’s Pure Clay Mask Hydration), a natural humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin.

Caolion’s Magic Black Powder Rejuvenating Mask has tiny black capsules that burst on contact to release grape extract, another powerful moisturising ingredient.

Hydrating as they may now be, these are still not hydrating masks, so you need to use a moisturiser after. But your skin will feel both clean and comfortable. – CT 

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Try these hydrating detox masks
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Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask is for dry, irritable skin. It’s lightweight, and glides on like a gel. $63
 
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L’Oreal Pure Clay Mask Hydration has a texture like thick lotion, and doesn’t harden on skin. $14.90
 
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Caolion Magic Black Powder Rejuvenating Mask offers overnight detoxing. $65
 
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Hera Blue Clay Cooling Mask is mousse-like and leaves a minty sensation on skin as it dries. The sensation lasts even after you wash it off. $38