No, we’re not talking about the mud that you might find in the garden. In skincare terms, ‘mud’ typically refers to Deep Sea Mud, taken from the Dead Sea in the middle east.
This type of mud is thought to contain several nourishing benefits for the skin, and is typically used in clay masks and DIY face masks. So, is mud good for the skin? Let’s find out.
What Does Mud Do For Your Skin?
While I’ve always been a fan of natural acne treatments, I do still take care to consider any claims of skincare “superpowers” with a pinch of salt, especially when they’re used frequently in skincare marketing. However, high-quality mud (aka mud that has been sourced from the Dead Sea) does actually contain veritable benefits for the skin:
Nourishes The Skin
Mud is infused with lots of different minerals, making it ideal for nourishing the skin and making it super soft and smooth. Most mud products will contain up to around 21 unique minerals, so a mud mask is a little bit like a facial-at-home when used correctly.
Offers Excellent Exfoliating Properties
Due to its abrasive texture, mud skincare products are also great natural exfoliators. Exfoliating the skin – especially acne-prone skin – is super important when it comes to keeping the pores free of sebum, oil and other bacteria or dead skin cells that might be lingering on the skin’s surface.
Mud Deep Cleanses Skin
The great thing about mud is that it offers a really deep cleanse, in a way that traditional cleansing products simply can’t. The mud is a detoxificant, meaning that it rids the skin and pores of any lingering impurities, bacteria, sebum or oil on the skin. Once the mud mask (and all the impurities) has been removed, your skin feels fresher, softer and much cleaner than before.
Mud Absorbs Oil and Sebum
Perhaps the most interesting point about mud: when applied to the skin in the form of a mask, mud absorbs all oil on the surface of the skin. If you’re an acne sufferer and have oily skin, a mud mask can help keep your pores free from excess sebum by effectively sweeping away all excess oil on the surface of the skin itself. The result? Fewer angry breakouts and a less oily complexion.
Mud Helps Treat Dry Skin
For acne sufferers, this point might not be particularly interesting. However, if you have combination acne-prone skin and often suffer from both breakouts and dry patches, mud masks can help alleviate dry skin. The minerals in the mud can combat even severe dry skin and psoriasis, or at least make it easier to treat.
Is Mud Good For Acne?
Obviously, it’s important to point out that mud itself isn’t just one skincare product – it’s an active ingredient. That means that while yes, mud can be great at alleviating the symptoms of acne and reducing breakouts, not all mud products will be good for acne.
For example, a cheaply-made mud treatment that is highly abrasive might end up drying out your skin, leading to an overproduction of oil and increased breakouts. When it comes to any skincare ingredient that helps acne, it’s still important to consider the quality of each individual product, as well as any other ingredients used in the formula.
That being said, mud’s absorptive properties and minerals make it a great natural skincare ingredient, and anyone with acne-prone skin could benefit from adding a mud mask into their skincare routine.
Benefits Of Mud Masks
One of the most common mud skincare products is a mud mask, often referred to as a “clay mask.” In my view, if you’re going to be using a mud product, a mud mask is your best bet. Here’s why:
More Time For The Product To Work Its Magic
The main reason I’d recommend using a mud mask over, say, a mud-based cleanser, is that you want to give the mud time to sit on your skin. If you want the full spectrum of mud benefits, the mud needs to be able to penetrate into the skin. This allows the mud to clear out the pores, rid the skin of any excess, sebum, bacteria and dead skin, and fully absorb any excess oil. For this to occur, the mud needs the time to work its magic.
Immediate Effects
Another reason I’d recommend using a mud mask is because you will see immediate effects once you’ve rinsed the product off. Most mud masks will leave your skin feeling firmer, smoother, softer and refreshed, ideal if your skin needs a pick-me-up.
Will Help Absorption of Other Skincare Products
Using a deep-cleanse mud mask will not only help the absorption of other skincare products, but will make your skin a much cleaner canvas for things like make-up or tinted moisturizers.
Best Mud Mask Products For Acne
When it comes to picking the best mud products for acne, I’d recommend two products that work well to deep-cleanse the pores while smoothing and purifying the skin:
My personal go-to when my skin is feeling congested, Glamglow’s Supermud Clearing Treatment does incredible work at deep-cleaning the pores. The mask uses activated charcoal to purify the skin, and I can personally attest that your skin will feel squeaky-clean after use.
When using this product, be aware that it will tingle while it sits on the skin. This is totally normal, and simply means that the product is getting to work cleansing the pores. This mask also hardens during application, so it’s best to rinse off in the shower to avoid a mess in the sink.
New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask
A more budget-friendly option, New York Biology’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is great for acne anywhere on the body. Enriched with, this mud mask draws out toxins, purifies, and even helps reduce the size of your pores. I actually used this mud mask on some shoulder acne that I developed a while ago (note: always make sure to change your pillowcases!) and it really helped reduce the inflammation and the pimples.
This mask is a great budget-friendly investment, as you’re getting a hefty 8oz worth of product. With 2-3 weekly uses, it could last the whole year.
Other Types Of Face Masks
Depending on your skin type and the type of acne you have, mud may not be the best type of face mask to soothe and nourish your skin. For example, if are trying to clear acne scars or fungal the type of face mask you should use will be different from the type of face mask you should use for clogged pores. Our team spent several weeks researching dozens of face masks and compiled a list of the best face masks for every type of acne. I highly recommend checking this out if you are interested in using a face mask as part of your skincare routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because they can be quite abrasive on the skin (even when made from high-quality mud) I’d recommend using a mud mask no more than 2-3 times a week. If you have dry skin or any skin condition that causes dryness, you might prefer to use a mud mask just once a week.
I’d also recommend avoiding using a mud mask if you have any open acne on your face. Wait until the wound has healed (or at least covered over) before using a mud mask. Using a mud mask on an open pimple or wound can cause pain and irritation.
Most mud masks will differ when it comes to application instructions, so there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to using them. Typically, you don’t want to keep a mud mask on for longer than 25 minutes (although most will be less than this.)
Once you’ve used a mud mask, make sure to re-hydrate the skin with a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type. After using a mud mask, most products will absorb better into the skin, so it’s the ideal time to use your fancier creams or serums.
