Can Clay Face Masks Shrink Your Pores?

Do you know how to shrink your pores and make your skin look more refined? While nothing can actually shrink pores, clay masks can help to make those tiny holes on your skin look smaller. Large pores not only take away from your gorgeous look, they also make it easier for dead skin cells and oil to collect, which can lead to a sea of blackheads. When debris sits in your pores it also has the super negative impact of actually stretching out your skin, making the pore problem even worse!

It is time to break out the facial clay powder. Clay sucks oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells out of your skin, detoxifying and cleaning out your pores. If you start with a thick enough layer of wet clay and let it dry long enough  (expect 20 to 30 minutes to really let it dry) you can actually see the hardened oil deposits when you peel of the dry clay. Amazing!

I mix clay powder with purified water for an easy mask. When I am adventurous I will use essential oils, milk (for dry skin) or rose water when I have some in the house. Start with two tablespoons of clay and almost the same amount of water, adding more to create a thick, wet paste that is easy to spread. You don't have to spend a lot for this remarkable beauty treatment.Bentonite clayworks really well. You can spend a couple dollars more and use green clay or red clay. These cosmetic clays are supposed to contain more nutrients for your skin.

Spread the paste over clean skin. I wash with a gentle facial cleanser first, and then pat dry. That way my pores are somewhat open from the warm water and my face is dry, but slightly damp. It takes practice to master the art of clay mask application. Investing two or three dollars for a face mask brush is not a bad idea. The trick is to have a smooth, thick layer over your skin, especially oily areas like the chin, forehead, and around your nose.

Now, this I learned after dozens of masks, sit still! Don't talk, don't smile, keep your face still. When you use your facial muscles, especially as the mask dries, it cracks. This isn't the end of the world, or of your pore refining treatment, but I feel that the mask can really do its magic when it doesn't crack. This is the world's best time to soak in a bubble bath or just clothes your eyes (cucumber slices please!) and relax for 20 minutes.

I admit I love to peel off the mask when it is dry to check out the underbelly of the dried clay. The easiest way to clean your face is to jump in the shower and let the warm water melt the mask. Follow with your serums and a facial moisturizer.

The downside is that the effects are not permanent. I try to use a clay mask two or three times a week, but it takes time. Still, clay face masks are a tool that you can use to tighten your pores, fight blackheads, and make your face look smoother and more radiant. 

Lime Water and French Green Clay Balancing Face Mask for Blemished Skin

Lime hydrosol and French green clay are two of the best skin care ingredients for blemished skin. Lime water balances pH. It increases circulation to the skin, acts as a toner, and helps to reduce breakouts. French green clay sucks out impurities while also replenishing the skin with a wealth of nutrients. Try this simple balancing face mask to help sop up oil and leave the skin feeling clean and refreshed. I add a little extra antiseptic action with tea tree oil to help fight pimples.

To make this mask you will need:

• 2 tablespoons French green clay powder
• 2 + tablespoons of lime hydrosol (not lime juice!), enough to make a paste with the clay
• 3 drops of tea tree essential oil

Mix together and smear over clean skin. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. I like leaving on my clay masks until my skin feels very tight, but go ahead and rinse it off if the drying clay feels uncomfortable. Pat the face dry and finish by dabbing the skin with the lime hydrosol. Follow with a light facial moisturizer. If you don't have French green clay, try bentonite, white, or rose clay powder.

For a great oil-cutting toner, try mixing equal parts of lime water and rose water in a small spray bottle. Spritz the skin throughout the day for a calming, refreshing skin lift for oily skin. 

White Clay and Lavender Face Mask for Sensitive Skin Types

If you have sensitive skin, but suffer from acne, then this is the best homemade
facial to use on a regular basis to help clear up pimples and improve your complexion. A white clay and lavender face mask is both softening and cleansing at the same time. White clay is a gentler version of green or Bentonite clay, offering the detoxifying and skin mineral benefits without all of the intensity. Lavender is the sensitive skin alternative to tea tree. It has an antiseptic action, without the irritation.

A white clay facial can be used regularly, even for people with combination and sensitive skin. It supplies the skin with important minerals, including silica to help form new collagen. It has a gentle detoxifying effect, pulling out impurities without increasing redness. Lavender is anti-bacterial, helping to fight the small microbes that like to disturb skin, leading to blemishes. It also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and it helps to normalize and balance, a plus for combination skin. Lavender is cleansing and soothing enough that it is even an ideal ingredient in homemade skin care for rosacea. I like to mix these two ingredients with fresh cream for an extra nourishing, softening effect. If you have really sensitive skin, use goat's milk instead of cow's milk.

To make this white clay and lavender face mask you will need:

• 1 tablespoon white clay
• 1 tablespoon organic cream or milk
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Simply mix the clay and cream together to form a thick paste, adding more clay powder or more cream to get a nice consistency. Before adding the lavender, first cleanse the skin, rinsing with warm water to open pores. Add the drops of essential oil and then stir in with your fingertips. Apply the white clay mixture over your entire face. Leave on for up to ten minutes. Wash off by jumping in the shower or using a wet cloth. Moisturize the face after this mask. If you've never tried white clay before, try it on your skin. This is really a wonderful, softening, cleansing mask to use for all skin types, and it is easy to prepare.

The Best Homemade Face Mask for Blackheads — Clay, Lemon, and Rose

What is the best homemade face mask for blackheads? It is a face mask that will pull toxins, oil, and waste from the skin with a vengeance, while refining pores. A powerful, impurity-sucking clay mask, made with the natural astringent action of fresh lemon juice and rose is the ultimate in homemade facials for blackheads. Leave it on long enough and it will pull blockages from your pores, while then tightening the skin and reducing pore size so more blackheads are less likely to form.


It may seem like clay powder is just too basic to really reduce acne problems, but clay is one of the best solutions for skin problems, especially blackheads. First, clay is rich in minerals for the skin. I always use Bentonite clay, which is rich in silica to help form new collagen. Once it has a chance to dry on the skin, it pulls out dirt, dead skin cells, and anything else that is clogging pores and leading to blackheads and other blemishes. Using a clay mask is so strong, that after two masks, I had a small dark blemish that had been in my skin for months simply slide out with a pinch from my fingertip (although I don't recommend pinching the skin to remove blackheads as this can do more harm than good!).


Clay powder can be mixed with distilled water or apple cider vinegar, but when it comes to a strong astringent and refining and brightening the skin, go for lemon juice. Lemon will shrink pores, help the clay remove impurities, and promote skin renewal with alpha hydroxy acids. Lemon is not a good choice for sensitive skin. Also, be sure to use sunscreen after use if going outdoors. I suggest wearing this mask in the evening, not before you are about to go out and enjoy a sunny day. Alpha hydroxy acids and sun exposure do not mix! Rose essential oil acts as a secondary toner, and it also will calm the skin.

To make this homemade face mask for blackheads you will need:

• 3 teaspoons of clay powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of water
• 3 drops of rose essential oil

Add the clay powder to a glass or ceramic bowl. Add the lemon, water, and rose oil and stir. Add more water as needed to make a paste. Prepare the face with warm water to open pores. A relaxing way to do this is to get a clean wash cloth wet with hot water. Place it over the face for one minute, this will feel wonderful. Very gently pat the face dry, it does not have to be completely dry. Smear the mask over your skin. Let it set for fifteen minutes. The mask will dry and the face will become really tight, but don't worry. This means it is working! Wash the face clean, dry, and then use a moisturizing face lotion to finalize this ultimate skin care treatment.