How Do Mud Masks Work?

August 31, 2022

best mud mask by florence

Spa days are what dreams are made of. A facial followed by sauna time followed by a pedicure — we can’t come up with a better itinerary. 

While we all love a trip to the spa, it’s not super accessible to make it a regular occasion. Instead of waiting for your birthday to roll around, bring the spa to your bathroom. 

Prep cucumber slices, throw on some cozy slippers and create a relaxing “Spa Day” playlist to set the mood. The last but certainly not least important part of every spa day is a mud mask. While you probably love the way mud masks make your skin feel and giggle at the way they look, have you ever wondered how they actually work?

Mud masks are doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Let’s take a deep dive into mud masks and give them the appreciation they deserve. 

Mud Masks Explained

If you want to create a well-rounded skincare routine, a solid face mask is a must. 

If you haven’t found your go-to face mask yet or want to try out a new one, listen to your skin to understand what it needs. 

Keep in mind that no skincare routine is the same. Your bestie’s favorite products will be vastly different from your own. A good skincare routine should be catered to your unique skin and lifestyle.

If your skin is on the drier side, we would suggest steering clear from a mud mask as it might dry you out. If you have more oily skin or combination skin and need some clarifying care, we would suggest reaching for a mud mask.

While similar to clay face masks, mud masks are not the same thing. The label of “mud mask” encompasses any mask that combines water mixed with various minerals, soils, silts, or clays. Due to their high mineral concentration, mud masks can be quite healing. 

Although the mud mask's claim to fame is its antibacterial and exfoliating properties, it also helps to  remove grime from your pores and absorbing excess oils from your skin. 

How to Find The Best Mud Mask

We don't mind being a broken record when we say: check out the ingredient label before you make any moves. A product is only as good as its ingredients, so do your research on the ingredients of your potential face mask. 

florence clarifying mud mask

Our Clear the Way Clarifying Mud Mask is made to make you feel good! We say no to parabens, sulfates, animal testing, or animal by-products.. Instead, we packed our charcoal mask formula with powerful ingredients to clear the way for smoother, clearer-looking skin. 

Let’s go over the key ingredients in our favorite mud and charcoal face mask:

  • Charcoal Powder and Salicylic Acid: help draw out impurities to unclog and minimize the appearance of pores.​
  • Kaolin Clay: a gentle exfoliator that exfoliates without drying the skin ​
  • Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils: soothes stressed skin

How to Use a Mud Mask

Once you have found your face mask soulmate, it’s time to put it to work. Before your rip open the package and smear it on your face, take time to learn how to properly apply a face mask. 

1.Use a Face Mask Brush

Mud masks are super fun, but at the same time they are super messy.

A face mask brush is an amazing way to get the most out of your mud mask, avoiding any product waste. Apply your face mask ever so evenly with a face mask brush to avoid using grimy hands on your face which could lead to more harm than good.  

2. Apply With Care

Use a face mask brush (or clean hands) to evenly distribute the mask across your face. Make sure to stay clear of your eyebrows, eyes, mouth, and hairline. 

3. Wait & Rinse

Let the mud mask work its magic and do what you please for 15 minutes. We suggest making your favorite cup of tea, snuggling with a furry friend, or snapping some selfies to send to your bestie group chat. 

Once your time is up and your mask feels dry, rinse your face with warm water.

charcoal face mask | florence by mills

We know you’ll love the results and will be dying to do it all over again, but how often should you really use a mud mask? 

The answer can vary, but you shouldn’t need a mud mask more than once a week. Always check out the instructions on your mud mask for more information. 

Mask Time is Me Time

In short, mud masks are created to clear out clogged pores, soak up excess sebum, and leave your skin feeling more clarified. If this sounds like something you have been in need of, then try it out for yourself. 

We all deserve a spa day! Whether it's once a week or once a month, a spa day not only nourishes your skin but your mind too. 

You don't let your phone battery fall under 20%, so why would you let yourself? Taking time to unwind allows you to get in a quality recharge. 

Learn more about ways to treat yourself on our blog, where we give you the DL on all things skincare, beauty, and good vibes. 

we say yes to...

Vitamins, antioxidants, botanicals, and other clean ingredients. We create safe products that really work and are designed to make you feel good. No parabens, sulfates, animal testing or animal by-products, ever!

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