If you clay face masks with ingredients designed to exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells or brighten your complexion, leaving them on overnight can cause over-exfoliation. Your skin health deteriorates – it starts to look dull and lifeless.
Licensed Esthetician Tiara Willis agreed that because clay masks are designed to absorb oil, it is not meant to be worn overnight, however, you can wear hydrating masks to bed.
Overnight masks, even the hydrating ones, can have an occlusive effect. This means they create a barrier on the skin, which can trap moisture and potentially irritate sensitive skin. Sleeping with a mask on can interfere with your skin's natural breathing process, potentially leading to clogged pores or breakouts.
``Wearing masks overnight that aren't created for that can over-process the skin. For example, wearing a clay mask for too long can dry out the skin since it sets and hardens before removal,'' said Kierstin.
While it can be effective for drawing out impurities and oil when used as a regular mask for a short duration, leaving it on overnight may lead to skin irritation, dryness, or discomfort, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Mask wearing during sleep at night has no effect on cardiopulmonary physiology. Masks do, however, cause discomfort that might discourage their use in important settings, especially N95 respirators. There were no effects of mask wearing on patients with mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Sometimes using a clay mask can cause purging - when the pores are so blocked that all of the debris comes to the surface, causing acne to appear worse. But this will only be temporary and within a few weeks, your skin should become clearer.
In the skincare world, you'll see kaolin clay as the headlining ingredient in clay masks because of its ability to absorb oil. This oil-absorbing quality makes kaolin clay masks one of the best solutions for clogged pores.
Bacteria that cause acne thrive in the humid environment a face mask creates for your skin. Even people who change their masks and use clean surgical masks are having issues with acne. Dr. Liszewski also says that duration of time wearing a mask doesn't directly correlate to acne development.
It reduces acne significantly after use. It also helps brighten the skin and fade acne scars and dark spots. I use this mask 2-3 times a week. I find it helps a lot in skin care.
Provided your cream or gel face mask doesn't contain acids or enzymes, you can leave it on for as long as you like. The lack of potent ingredients means a hydrating mask can be kept on without harming the skin. In fact, many hydrating masks can be left on overnight to lock in moisture and maximise their benefits.
Leaving it for any longer will result is excessive drying. That being said, the excessive drying property can be used for spot treatment. Covering an angry break out with clay overnight will calm it down. This will also speed up the healing process of your skin.
“It can cause eye irritation, infections, and clogged hair follicles, which may result in styes. Mascara and eyeliner can transfer to your pillow, leading to further contamination and irritation,” Dr. Joel Kopelman, facial plastic surgeon at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, tells Sleepopolis.
You do not need to apply a clay mask every day. Instead, use it once or twice a week to see results and minimize side effects like skin irritation. 3 There are many types of clay masks, so it's important to choose the best one for your skin type and concerns.
By now the mask should feel firm on your skin—and that means it is time to take it off! Wet a washcloth with lukewarm water and gently wipe the clay mask off of your face in circular motions. Be sure to get all of the clay mask—that means double checking your hairline, eyebrows, and nostrils.
Bentonite clay's ability to draw out pore-clogging dirt and debris and may also help congested skin appear cleansed and refreshed. As such, you'll find bentonite clay in skincare formulas specifically aimed at reducing the appearance of pores and blackheads.
Appearance. The blemishes caused by purging are usually smaller, come to a head quicker and heal faster. Breakouts, however, can vary widely in appearance, including blackheads, whiteheads, deeper cystic spots or hormonal acne along the jawline. They might heal slowly and can range in size and severity.
How long should you leave a clay face mask on for? Clay face masks should ideally be left on for no more than 15 minutes; however, you should read the instructions as each can vary. You are at risk of your skin drying out if you leave your clay mask on for too long.
DO: Blend Two Shades of Concealer. Using a concealer that's too light or too dark can make a pimple stand out more. Try mixing two shades of concealer to make a custom blend that's a precise match for your skin. Be careful to blend the edges of the concealed area to create a seamless line with the surrounding skin.
Your Skin Feels Cleaner and Fresher
One of the immediate signs that a clay mask is working is the sensation of clean, refreshed skin. After rinsing off the mask, your skin should feel smoother, less oily, and thoroughly cleansed.
Bentonite clay – acne-prone, oily skin
Bentonite clay is made from volcanic ash. It has high oil-absorbing qualities that make it a great choice for people with acne-prone and oily skin types. This clay pulls the dirt and grime out of the skin and has anti-bacterial properties too.
A clay face mask tends to remove oils and water from your skin, so using clay after your strong actives can mean dry, flaky skin. Certain clay products may be too drying for skin, leaving the skin barrier compromised as there are no lipids left to protect it.
Skin becomes excessively dry
When you leave it on overnight, the effects of the mask is enhanced so it not only draws out impurities, but strips off the natural oils of the skin that act as protection – this action makes the skin prone to acne and environmental damage.
Skin purging is said to last 4-6 weeks, however, everyone's skin is different (2). This is only temporary and will eventually subside as your skin adjusts to the new treatment. In the meantime, it is important to cleanse gently and avoid picking at your skin, as this can cause further irritation.