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September 29 is National Mud Pack Day. When I penciled this unique holiday into my posting schedule, I realized I’d never tried a mud pack. I’ve created simple DIY masks at home, using natural ingredients. However I decided to celebrate this day properly with a store bought mask.
At Ulta, I found a variety of facial masks ranging from press on sheets to fun and fruity goop in a tube to jars of clay. In honor of mud pack day, I chose L’OREAL’s Detox & Brighten Pure Clay Mask, with added charcoal.
And rather than just try a clay and charcoal mask, I made it a pampering self care experience.
National Mud Pack Day
This day gives us all permission to play in the mud…mud packs that is. Mud packs are mixtures of therapeutic clays that when applied to the skin, increase circulation, ease muscle tension, release toxins and boost immunity. They work well on oily and combination skin types.
Although most commonly used on the face, mud packs benefit the skin all over the body. For a full body mud pack, that relieves pain and swelling due to arthritis and eases stress, check out salons that offer this service.
L’OREAL Pure Clay Mask
The L’OREAL product I purchased contains three pure clays plus charcoal. This blend of moroccan lava, kaolin and montmorillonite clays and charcoal draws out impurities from the skin, evens out skin tone, increases luminosity and allows the skin to breathe.
The creamy formula glides on easily, does not dry out the skin and is suitable for all skin types. To use, apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding eyes and lips. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse off with warm water. For best results, use three times a week.
Immediate results include clean, smooth skin with a beautiful, healthy glow.
Over time skin breathes better, detoxifies and appears healthier.
Try a Clay and Charcoal Mask
Late in the afternoon, as the sun sank toward the western horizon, I set up my self care experience.
In my backyard garden meditation spot, I placed a tray with a cup of peppermint tea, a lit candle and the L’OREAL Clay and Charcoal Mask. Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed lay nearby. The water fountain gurgled just outside the meditation area while the drone of insects filled the garden. I set up my light stand with its remote clicker and the sturdy clip that holds my iPhone, for photos. That handy gadget is the best investment I made this year!
I felt ready to try the mask and relax in the garden while it dried.
Allowing the Mask to Dry
I applied an even coat of the clay mask to my face, avoiding the eyelids and under eye area and my lips. The texture is smooth, without any grit, and goes on easily. It has a light, pleasant fragrance. I made sure I completely covered my skin. The mask goes on dark gray and turns light gray as it dries.
After snapping a few photos, I settled back to enjoy the experience. Sipping my peppermint tea, I read in Untamed, a book that carries significance for me as I enter next year. My cat Shy Boy joined me in the meditation corner, curling up on a chair. It felt amazing to relax and unwind outdoors on this gorgeous fall day.
As the mask dried, my skin tightened beneath it. That tightening felt pleasant as I did feel tension, which often settles in the facial muscles, melt away.
The Results
After 15 minutes, most of the mask appeared dry, turning a light gray color. I could easily see the pores on my skin. As the sun set, I decided to wash off the mask instead of waiting for it to dry completely.
I confess that I thought the mask might not come off as simply as it went on. Using an older wash cloth and warm water from the bathroom sink, I cautiously dabbed at the mask. No worries. The mask dissolved quickly. I found using my hands to rinse my face with the warm running water worked best.
In moments, mask gone, I patted my skin dry and looked at my face in the mirror. My skin looked radiant and dewy. And the texture amazed me. My skin felt deep cleaned, soft and so incredibly smooth. And the pores appeared diminished.
I captured the results with a click of my iPhone camera. Afterward I applied Smartr Skin Vitamin C Serum and their rich moisturizer. (Use my discount code CINDYM20OFF to save 20% off your order! And check out the rest of my skin care routine.)
Continued Use
I’m grateful for National Mud Pack Day. Thanks to this special day, I tried a clay mask for the first time and I love it. I’m adding the L’OREAL Pure Clay Mask with Charcoal to my weekly skin care routine. I look forward to seeing what results continued use bring.
Want to create your own self care experience? Check out my Amazon links below! And let me know…have you tried a clay and charcoal mask?
Try These Products to Create Your Own Self Care Experience
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