9 Best Mud Masks for a Healthy, Younger-Looking Skin

Want to give your skin that special treatment without the hassle of going to a salon? Then mud face masks are just what you need. This natural skin care remedy offers cosmetic as well as medicinal benefits.

Regular use of mud face masks can help keep an array of skin problems at bay. They effectively improve complexion, reduce signs of aging and revive dull skin.

Clay contains several beneficial minerals, vitamins and other nutrients necessary for healthy skin. It deeply cleans the pores by getting rid of toxins, impurities, dirt, excess oil (sebum) making your skin radiant. (1)

Mud masks also help reduce the effects of skin problems. These masks detox and accelerate the healing process. Clay forms a protective layer around the area where it is applied and aids in smoothing fine lines, keeping the skin hydrated and feeling revitalized.

About the clay used in the mask

The key to making the perfect mud face mask is using the right clay. The following clays are popularly used for beauty and cosmetic purposes:

Bentonite clay: Made of old volcanic ashes, bentonite clay has amazing absorbing capabilities and is popularly used for oily or acne-prone skin. It will help absorb excess sebum, toxins and other impurities from the pores, giving you clear and radiant skin. It also helps treat and prevent various skin ailments.

Fuller’s earth: Fuller’s earth offers lightening, brightening, and absorbent properties. It also helps detoxify the skin and buff away impurities. It is highly recommended for evening out the skin tone and improving the complexion. Fuller’s earth acts as a bleaching agent and aids in reducing the appearance of spots and marks.

Kaolin clay: This clay comes in various colors like yellow, white, pink and red. While white kaolin clay is the gentlest of the lot, the red one has the best absorbing abilities. Yellow kaolin clay is often used in brightening masks.

You may add a variety of other natural ingredients for enhancing the effectiveness of your mud mask. Here are nine mud face masks for healthy, younger-looking skin.

Method 1: Deep Cleansing Mud Mask

Fuller’s earth will help get rid of impurities, lighten your skin and fade blemishes and spots. The mineral content found in this clay will rejuvenate the skin and give it a natural glow.

Honey’s antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties will help cleanse the skin. This natural humectant will also hydrate the skin, making it soft and fresh. Rose water is known for its toning and cleansing benefits.

Things you’ll need:

• Fuller’s earth – 2 tablespoons
• Raw honey – 1 tablespoon
• Rose water – enough to make a paste

Step 1. Combine fuller’s earth, raw honey, and rose water

• Put 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
• Add enough rose water to make a nice paste.

Step 2. Mix well & apply the mask on your face

• Mix the ingredients well.
• Apply the mask to your face and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
• Rinse your face with water.
• Finish with a light moisturizer.

You may use this mask 1 or 2 times a week.

Method 2: Soft and Smooth Glowing Skin-Dead Sea Mud Mask

This mask brings together the goodness of Dead Sea mineral salt, clay, honey, and yogurt. It helps to cleanse your skin and gives it a natural glow.

Dead Sea mineral salt is readily available, affordable and suits almost every skin type. It is especially effective for sensitive, dry or itchy skin. It has healing, soothing and softening properties. It also keeps the skin hydrated and supports its barrier function. Plus, it can help tackle a number of skin problems. It exfoliates the skin and also boasts of antibacterial properties. (2)

Bentonite clay will help cleanse the skin and prevent infections. Yogurt has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and can be used to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized, remove a suntan, lighten scars and spots, tighten skin pores and more.

Tea tree oil’s antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral and soothing properties help make your skin healthy and supple. It is especially beneficial in treating acne and acne scars.

This mud face mask will detoxify your skin leaving it with a natural glow.

Things you’ll need:

• Dead Sea mineral salt – 1 tablespoon
• Bentonite clay – 2 tablespoons
• Yogurt – 3 tablespoons
• Warm water
• Tea tree oil – 1 drop

Step 1. Combine the mineral salt, clay, and yogurt

• Put 1 tablespoon of Dead Sea mineral salt in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay.
• Add 3 tablespoons of yogurt as well.
• Stir to blend the ingredients.

Step 2. Add the water and tea tree oil & apply the paste on your face

• Slowly add warm water to make a spreadable paste.
• Add 1 drop of tea tree oil.
• Mix well to form a smooth, lump-free paste.
• Apply it on your face and neck.
• Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Method 3: Acne Mud Mask

Looking for an easy yet effective way to prevent and treat acne? Your search ends here. This mud face masks for healthy, younger-looking skin will not only help you get rid of stubborn acne, but it will also lighten those unpleasant blemishes on your skin over time. It works by pulling the impurities out of the skin as well as maintaining its pH level.

The anti-inflammatory properties present in apple cider vinegar help heal the acne.

Tea tree oil provides antimicrobial and antiseptic benefits and aids in preventing breakouts. The soothing lavender essential oil works well for dealing with various skin ailments. (3)

Regular use of this mask will balance the oil in your skin and help prevent acne.

Things you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar – 2 tablespoons
• Lavender essential oil – 2 drops
• Tea tree essential oil – 2 drops
• Earth clay – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine the clay, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils

• Put 2 tablespoons of earth clay in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to it.
• Add 2 drops each of lavender and tea tree essential oils.

Step 2. Mix the ingredients & apply the paste on your face

• Mix the ingredients to form a paste.
• Apply an even layer of the mixture all over your face.
• Leave it on for about 20 minutes or until it dries completely.
• Wipe it off using a damp cloth, then rinse your face.
• Finish with a light moisturizer.

You may use this mask once a week.

Method 4: Oily Skin Mud Mask

The soft and mild kaolin clay used in this mask is highly suitable for oily or sensitive skin. It has purifying, exfoliating and detoxifying effects.

Peppermint essential oil offers several benefits, including toning, brightening and cleansing the skin as well as controlling acne.

Cucumber is effective in soothing, softening and hydrating the skin. This refreshing ingredient also helps shrink the skin pores.

Together these ingredients will give you the perfect mud mask for oily skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Kaolin clay – 1 tablespoon
• Peppermint essential oil – 1 drop
• Cucumber-infused water – enough to make a paste

Step 1. Combine the kaolin clay, peppermint oil, and cucumber-infused water

• Put 1 tablespoon of kaolin clay in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 drop of peppermint essential oil.
• Add enough cucumber-infused water to make a paste.

Step 2. Mix the ingredients & apply the paste on your face

• Mix the ingredients well.
• Apply the mask and leave it on for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse it off with water.

Method 5: Soothing Yogurt Mud Mask

Packed with beneficial minerals like silica, magnesium, and calcium; bentonite clay will aid in improving and maintaining the health of your skin. It has an alkalizing effect and helps cleanse the skin pores.

Yogurt offers several beauty benefits, owing to the presence of zinc, lactic acid and B vitamins. It can be used for treating dry or itchy skin, lightening a suntan, soothing sunburn, and reducing blemishes and spots.

Things you’ll need:

• Bentonite clay – 1 tablespoon
• Yogurt – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Method: Combine the ingredients & apply the mask on your face

• Combine 1 tablespoon each of bentonite clay and yogurt and mix well.
• Use an applicator brush to apply the mask on your face.
• Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse it off with warm water.

Method 6: Anti-Aging & Energizing Mud Mask

With its high content of antioxidants, cocoa is one of the best ingredients to give you healthy, younger-looking skin. It also helps in healing and repairing the skin.

Being a diuretic, coffee will help remove toxins and excess puffiness from the skin, giving it a rejuvenated and awakened look. Caffeine is also effective in skin revitalization and circulation.

Mixing these ingredients with the cleansing bentonite clay makes an effective anti-aging mud mask.

Things you’ll need:

• Ground coffee – 1 teaspoon
• Cocoa powder – 1 tablespoon
• Bentonite clay – 1 tablespoon
• Water – enough to make a paste

Step 1. Combine the bentonite clay, coffee, cocoa and water

• Put 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to it.
• Add 1 teaspoon of ground coffee.
• Pour in enough water to make a paste.

Step 2. Apply the paste on your face

• Mix the ingredients well to form a paste.
• Apply the mixture to your face.
• Keep it on for 15 minutes or until the mask dries.
• Rinse off the mask.

Method 7: Mud Mask for Acne-Prone Skin

This mask is a blend of various skin-friendly ingredients.

The Greek yogurt will help cleanse the skin, while the banana provides hydrating effects. Honey offers antibacterial properties and keeps the skin clean and moisturized to prevent acne breakouts. Lemon juice is highly effective in exfoliating and improving scars and spots left behind by acne.

All these ingredients along with clay help prevent and treat acne, giving you soft and supple skin. It works well for oily skin.

 Things you’ll need:

• Clay – 2 tablespoons
• Greek yogurt – 2 tablespoons
• Cocoa powder – 1 teaspoon
• Banana, mashed – ½
• Honey – 1 teaspoon
• Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Step 1. Mash the banana pieces and add ingredients

• Cut ½ of a banana into slices.
• Mash the banana pieces using a fork.
• Add 2 tablespoons of clay to the mashed banana.
• Add 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder to it.
• Add 1 teaspoon of honey.

Step 2. Add remaining items & apply the mask to your face 

• Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt to the other ingredients.
• Mix well.
• Apply the paste to your face and neck.
• Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
• Rinse your face with water.

Method 8: Revitalizing Mud Mask

Pink Kaolin clay gently cleanses the skin, giving it a radiant look. It also fights signs of aging, treats irritation and stimulates skin cell regeneration. It comes with soothing effects and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Rose water is rich in antioxidants and also offers antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Popularly used for skin care and beauty purposes, this ingredient helps cleanse, tone, moisturize and soothe the skin.

Orange essential oil aids in exfoliating the skin to help remain healthy and beautiful.

This mud mask will revitalize your skin, smoothen its texture and improve its appearance.

Things you’ll need:

• Pink kaolin clay – 1 tablespoon
• Rose water – 2 tablespoons
• Orange essential oil – 1 drop

Step 1. Combine the clay, rose water and orange essential oil

• Put 1 tablespoon of pink kaolin clay in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of rose water.
• Add 1 drop of orange essential oil.

Step 2. Mix well & apply the mask on your face

• Mix the ingredients well to form a paste.
• Apply the paste to your face and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Rinse it off with water.

Method 9: Mud Mask for Dry to Normal Skin

White kaolin clay is gentle on the skin and suits almost every skin type. It exfoliates and cleanses as well as helps shrink large skin pores.

Glycerin is known for its emollient and humectant properties. It tones and moisturizes the skin and also offers therapeutic benefits. (4)

This mask is especially suitable for dry and normal skin types.

Things you’ll need:

• White kaolin clay – 1 tablespoon
• Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Glycerin – 1 teaspoon

Step 1. Combine the clay, honey, and glycerin

• Put 1 tablespoon of white kaolin clay in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Add 1 teaspoon of glycerin as well.

Step 2. Mix to form a paste & apply it on your face

• Mix the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
• Apply the mask all over your face.
• Keep it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

Tips

• Do not use metal bowls or spoons while making the clay masks. The minerals in the clay may react with metal and hamper the effectiveness of the mud mask.
• Removing mud masks may get a little tricky. If rinsing your face doesn’t do the job, wipe it off with a damp washcloth.

Resources:

1. Clay minerals and their beneficial effects upon human health. A review. Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169131701000850. Published May 24, 2002.
2. HA M. Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Health Communication. https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/17256074. Published January 1, 1970.
3. Enshaieh S, Jooya A, Siadat AH, Iraji F. The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17314442. Published 2007.
4. Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. Moisturizers for Acne. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519/. Published May 2014.