It might not sound like the sexiest ingredient to slather on your precious mug, but there’s no denying that mud can be incredibly beneficial when used on skin for a myriad of reasons. In fact, it’s been used in the beauty world for thousands of years. Even Cleopatra was known to don a face full of clay—from the Dead Sea, no less—twice a week.
But it wasn’t only to enhance beauty. Since ancient times, mud has been used to draw out toxins [1] and as a treatment for skin wounds and a slew of skin disorders, including psoriasis, dermatitis [2], rosacea, and even acne.
And still today, it has therapeutic value when used on the skin. One study published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics noted the benefit of mud bath therapy for those plagued by psoriasis flare-ups [4].
Interestingly, patients with psoriasis have found benefits from bathing in the saltwater and mud in the Dead Sea to rejuvenate and regenerate new skin and slough away the thickened, dead skin.
One of the best things about using mud in a face mask is that it is, after all, completely natural. It’s a mere mixture of water and soil and can be found pretty much anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about what kind of unknown chemicals (and their side effects) you might be using on your face.
The biggest benefit of using mud in your skincare routine, and especially as a face mask, is, without a doubt, its impressive oil-absorbing abilities. It can draw out and expel impurities from the skin [5], as well as tighten and even smooth out lines and wrinkles.
Mud masks are hydrating and soothing, and let’s not forget they provide some degree of exfoliation, promoting skin turnover.
All the while, mud replenishes the skin with its impressively high concentration of salts and minerals, most notably magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium.
Mud Mask Benefits
Here’s a look at some of the other ways mud can benefit the skin when used as a face mask:
Reduces pore size: Another side effect of drawing out the oil, dirt, and grime in your pores is that it makes them appear smaller as a result. It’ll also feel significantly less oily, which is always a plus!
Reduces the look of cellulite: Thanks to its large concentration of nutrients, which help increase blood circulation and detoxify, you can expect to see a reduction in the appearance of cellulite—all without the use of creams loaded with a ton of chemicals you can hardly pronounce.
Cuts back on arthritic pain: It’s true! Research published in the journal Rheumatology International has demonstrated that the use of mud compress therapy was beneficial in reducing the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis [6].
10 Mud Mask Recipes to Try
Need we say more? Since mud is as natural as it gets, you don’t need to head to your local beauty store or drugstore to reap the skin-saving benefits. Here are some homemade mask recipes for you to try on the comfort of your own couch!
1. Exfoliating Mud Mask for Dry Skin
This mud mask not only leaves your face feeling soft and smooth, but it also leaves skin aglow, thanks to the increase in blood supply.
- 1 teaspoon dead sea mineral salt
- 2 teaspoons clay (this could be bentonite, Fuller’s earth, red, white kaolin, or green clay)
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- warm water
- 1 drop tea tree essential oil
Combine all the ingredients in a non-metal bowl, adding the warm water slowly until the consistency is smooth and spreadable. Apply to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave the mask on for 10–15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
2. Energizing Mud Mask for Puffy Skin
Antioxidant-rich cacao powder is mixed with exfoliating, energizing coffee and detoxifying clay for a power-packed anti-aging treat for your skin.
- 1 teaspoon finely ground coffee
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- water
Combine the ingredients in a non-metal bowl, using a wooden spoon to mix. Add water as needed for a smooth paste consistency. Apply to your face, and allow the clay to dry before removing, and rinse after a total of 15 minutes.
3. Cranberry Mud Mask for Dull Skin
The next time you whip up a batch of cranberry sauce, you might want to set a few berries aside for this brightening facial mask. Cranberries’ natural acidity lifts away dead skin and excess oil. If it’s not the season for cranberries, you can substitute pure cranberry juice (read the label carefully) or try a different type of berry, like strawberries.
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
- ¼ teaspoon Rhassoul clay
- 1 teaspoon plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- ¼ cup water (or as needed)
Start by mashing the cranberries in a bowl until they are pasty in texture. Then add the clay, yogurt, and honey. To make it thinner, mix in a little water slowly until it reaches your desired consistency. You’ll want the mask to be easy to apply but not too watery where it will slide off the face. Leave it on your face for 10–15 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove.
4. Clarifying Mud Mask for Acne-Prone Skin
If you’re battling acne and blackheads, Moroccan red clay is the one for you. When you combine it with the health-promoting monounsaturated fat in the avocado [6], this mask will help nourish and balance the skin’s natural oils.
- 2 tablespoons Moroccan red clay
- 3 tablespoons rose water
- 1 teaspoon mashed avocado
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Using clean fingers or a brush, apply to the t-zone or acne-prone areas. As soon as the mask starts to lighten (usually a sign the mask is dry), rinse with warm water.
5. Pore-Cleansing Mud Mask for Sagging Skin
As we age, our skin gets more lax, which can make pores look bigger. The solution? A tightening clay mask that’s turbo-charged with activated charcoal, which binds to impurities in the pores and lifts them away [7]. The application of clay has been shown to increase collagen production, which forms the foundation of skin [8].
- 1 teaspoon French green clay
- 2 capsules of activated charcoal (about 1 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
Combine the ingredients into a paste. Use a brush or your fingers to apply to your face, avoiding the eye area. Let the mask dry for 10–15 minutes, then rinse and apply moisturizer.
6. Firming Mud Mask for Cellulite
If you’re battling cellulite, a caffeinated mud mask will temporarily help tighten and tone unsightly dimples. The caffeine in coffee and green tea reduces excess water in the tissues to reduce puffiness [9] and prevents the accumulation of fats in the cells [10], while the clay helps firm and tighten to smooth out the skin.
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 green tea bags
- 1/2 cup caffeinated ground coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
- 1 cup clay, like Aztec or Rhassoul
- 10 drops cypress essential oil (optional)
- Plastic wrap
Steep tea bags for 10 minutes in water, then discard them. Let the tea cool. Stir in coffee, sugar, grapeseed oil, clay, and cypress oil, if using. Smooth the mask onto cellulite-prone areas like the belly, hips, and thighs.
Firmly wrap each area with plastic wrap and then wrap yourself in a warm towel or robe. Lie down (in the tub if things get too messy) and rest for 20–30 minutes. Then remove the wrap(s) and rinse with warm water.
7. Coconut & Hibiscus Radiance Mud Mask for Aging Skin
Combine firming mud with the phytonutrient and vitamin C-rich hibiscus [11] for an antioxidant brightening mask that absorbs impurities and fights free radicals. If your skin is acne-prone, you can switch out the coconut oil with water or plain yogurt.
- 1 teaspoon Kaolin clay
- 1 teaspoon hibiscus flower powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.
8. Detox Mud Mask for Your Pits
Simply whip up this bentonite clay mask according to the recipe below, and apply it daily before jumping in the shower. Bentonite clay helps draw out chemicals and impurities from the skin [12], so your armpits can detox more quickly.
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 3 teaspoons water (enough to reach a yogurt-like consistency)
- 2 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil
Combine clay, water, and the essential oil of your choice in a small bowl, and stir until smooth. Apply the mask to clean, dry underarms, and let sit for 10–20 minutes before rinsing off in the shower.
