What is the difference between Australian pink clay and French pink clay?
Clay masks, the only product you can’t live without for a spa night at home! Using clay masks is a form of pampering that actually dates back centuries.
In ancient Egypt between 80 BC and 400 BC, Queen Cleopatra created a mask using white clay, milk, honey, and olive oil. She applied it all over her body to restore the youthfulness and glow of her skin. As the modern century progresses, our love for these masks has not diminished, although today we mostly wear them on our faces.
In 2017, the use of clay masks, especially pink clay masks, became popular. But these millennial favorites are more than just Instagram-worthy. The benefits of pink clay are particularly impressive, and every skin type can use it without any problems.
Compared to other clay masks that can be very drying for sensitive skin, pink clay is gentler and softens clogged pores instead of removing dirt like other masks. Pink clay deeply cleanses the skin without affecting the skin’s natural oils.
What is pink clay?
Pink clay is a type of clay called kaolin. Kaolin is usually white and takes on a pink hue depending on the iron oxide content. The higher the content, the darker the color of the kaolin.
In addition, the clay becomes more absorbent. Kaolin comes in different colors, from red to white. Red is perfect for oily skin types, and white can be mixed into many mask formulas to provide a calming effect. Pink is somewhere in the middle, providing deep pore cleansing while keeping the skin balanced and comfortable.
Skincare Benefits of Pink Clay. Pink clay is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin. Rich in minerals, it locks in moisture and removes impurities. It helps the skin restore and regenerate while gently exfoliating and revealing a radiant complexion with its slightly grainy texture.
For dry and sensitive skin, pink clay can inhibit irritation and inflammation while promoting healthy cell turnover to avoid causing skin problems such as dry, flaky patches on the skin, giving you a visibly brighter, smoother appearance.
Another reason pink clay is great for dry skin is that the clay doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils, keeping it balanced and comfortable.
Even dehydrated skin will find pink clay plumping, brightening, and retaining moisture, which can be a difficult task in cold temperatures. Luckily, pink clay protects the outer layer of the skin from environmental aggressors like weather and pollution.
Using pink clay on oily skin can make a big difference. Don’t be fooled by the mildness of this clay for sensitive skin, it’s actually gentle yet effective. For congested, acne-prone skin, it tightens pores and reduces blackheads and zits without any signs of aggravation that could lead to further breakouts.
With toxic air and pollution at their highest levels since 2010, use a pink clay mask at least once a week to keep your skin as healthy as possible. This explains why the use of detoxifying masks has doubled.
We all know about blackheads, pimples or enlarged pores, and we can easily combat these issues with a 10-minute clay mask that deeply and thoroughly cleanses you and your pores of dirt, grime, oil and even makeup residue. You have your
cleaner gone! Once all the gunk is gone, you will notice that your face structure is smoother, impurities are removed and your skin is rejuvenated.
Often, masks and treatments used to combat acne and pimples are too harsh on the skin, stripping it of every last drop of oil to achieve that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling that people crave. This causes the skin to become even and
produce excess oil, which over time can lead to, yes, you guessed it, stains and breakouts.
By taking a gentler, yet more effective approach, your skin’s natural barrier, pH and sebum production will remain undisturbed and as healthy as possible.
As the title of this article suggests, there are different types of pink clay. In the next section, I will take the time to explain the difference between Australian pink and French pink.
What’s the difference?
As the names suggest, both clays are harvested in different regions. Geographically, this means they contain different minerals and may have slightly different effects on the skin.
French Pink. The minerals contained in pink clay are iron, illite, montmorillonite, and calcite. Illite is great for acne-prone skin because it opens and cleanses the pores. Blood circulation is also stimulated, making the skin appear tighter and younger. Montmorillonite is super absorbent and gently removes excess oil from the skin without completely removing it.
Finally, there is calcite, a crystal that is great for energy cleansing, which I believe is what is in the pampering clay mask. It draws out toxins, gently exfoliates, and removes dead skin cells that make the skin appear dull. Blood circulation is stimulated and the skin is rejuvenated.
French pink clay from the south of France has been used exclusively in luxurious treatments in spas for years, which explains why Australian pink clay is more often found in home skincare products, but more and more brands are choosing French pink clay. Starting with French pink clay, its popularity has grown.
Australian pink clay. Australian pink clay contains an entirely different set of minerals: silica, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Silica is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that locks in moisture, which explains why pink clay is great for dry and eczema-prone skin types.
Magnesium helps the skin retain its natural fatty acids, which are great for keeping the face youthful and plump. Selenium is a great antioxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals that damage the skin’s natural barrier. Finally, zinc has a wonderful healing effect on the skin and any blemishes will be treated and become less noticeable, which makes pink clay a great skincare treatment for mature skin as well.
Originated from a specific region of Australia, this clay is rich in plant extracts and minerals that work together to tighten pores, detoxify blemished skin and remove impurities. Due to the purity of the clay, it is soft, yet oil-resistant and light-resistant.
French or Australian pink clay is rich in minerals and anti-free radical extracts to ensure that our skin is taken care of in the best possible way. With all the aggressors we face every day, using this millennial pink product will help your skin heal back to its healthiest state and give her luxurious pampering!
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
