2012-11-06 10:38:10 - Dr Rashmi Shetty who was recently awarded as India's Most Promising Cosmetologist & Non-Surgical Aesthetic Medicine Award Gives Beauty Tips to budding Celebrities

Celebrity Beauty & Facial Expert Dr Rashmi Shetty Throws new light on Anti-Ageing.


Cleopatra loved them, so did Queen Nefertiti and it's no secret that a clay mask can be a great one of the best pick-me-ups for the skin. Considered an important medicinal and cosmetic tool, clay, is now becoming increasingly popular as a rediscovered treatment for several skincare conditions. Says Dr Rashmi Shetty, "Good cosmetic clays conditions and nourishes your skin by removing the dead cells and extracting the extra oils and impurities from the surface of the skin. One should apply clay a mask regularly as it can impart a natural glow to your face."
And there's a mask for every skin from one for anti-ageing, to dealing with

dryness, treating pimples and controlling acne, cleansing and firming the skin.
Kinds of clay
Owing to their mineral content, clay comes in a variety of colours. They also differ in texture and have diffferent properties. Bentonite clay (also called fuller's clay) are the most useful of all clays. It has absorbing properties and can be used as an exfoliant as it draws out impurities from the skin.
Others, such as French Green clay and Rhassoul clay, absorb excess sebum and are apt for oily skin. They contain magnesium oxide that cleanses the skin and absorbs the fat from it.
Red clay is a powerhouse iron oxides, that brighten the skin and renew cells. Adds Dr Shetty, "The essential nutrients contained in the clay gives a toning effect on the skin. Fuller's earth clay is sedimentary clay is a bleaching agent and is used as a skin lightening agent. French Green Clay has excellent absorbing agents as it absorbs the extra oil from the skin, which is good as this extra oil may lead to acne marks and blemishes."
Where to apply, how often
Don't slather on the clay everywhere, restrict it to the regions of the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin and away from eyes and lips. How often can one use a clay mask? Says consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist, Dr Bindu Sthalekar, "People having oily skin can use clay masks for 2-4 days in a week or so. One can wash the mask with plain water."
Can it irritate the face?
No, clay mask does not cause any type of skin problems, says Dr Sthalekar. "They are actually used to cure acne. Use a clay mask with plain water. If clay masks are used with milk it may lead to skin problems. Also, the texture of the clay mask is impervious and if a person rubs it too much into the skin, it can lead to redness."
Masks for men too?
Of course, says spa expert Pawlomi Dhawan. "Men want ways to control excess skin oil and unclog the pores. The two main properties of a clay mask are deep cleansing and detoxifying and thus they are beneficial to men and women too. In fact, so many male clientele ask for clay-based packs and foot massage regimes." Men can apply a clay mask once a week, after shaving and before toning the skin.
Things to add to the clay mask
Quite a few ingredients can make their way into your mask. They are:
- Oats
- Buttermilk and cold milk
- Honey
- Essential oils
- Orange peel
- Herbs like chamomile and lavender
Home remedies
A good clay mask is easily made at home. You can store it in a jar or give it to someone as a gift:
For all skin types:
This is a skin soothing mask.
Ingredients:
- White clay 1/2 cup
- Oats, grounded 2 tbsp
- Milk or buttermilk powder 1 tbsp
- Honey 1 1/2 tsp

Method:
To apply, mix two teaspoons with an equal amount of water or any other liquid (milk, herb tea, or aloe vera juice). Spread evenly over your face. Leave on for about 10 minutes. Gently remove with warm water and a washcloth. Apply a homemade moisturiser. Mix and store in a covered jar or bag in your bathroom.
For normal skin:
People with normal skin can combine fuller's earth with Vitamin E oil and apply it on the skin.
For oily skin:
Combine combine fuller's earth with calamine lotion and apply it all over the face and neck. Can also use this on the back.
For acne prone skin:
Acne-prone skin needs more attention, here's a mask that will help keep it clean.
Combine green clay (it's great for drawing out impurities) and about three tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a bowl. Add some orange peel to this as well as an essential oil (can use lavender or tea tree varieties) that suits your skin. Spread over the face and neck avoiding the eye area. Keep it on for 15 minutes, rinse and dry the face.
For a glow:
Mix a little clay and water and add a few drops of essential oil to this (use rosemary for oily skin). Clean the face first, then leave this mask on the face for five minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can also add this mix to your bathtub.
Watch out!
- Some masks, such as the sulfur ones, tend to backfire on you when you leave them on too long or apply them on spots where they aren't supposed to go. In doing so, they dry out your skin too much at a time, leaving redness or irritation and dry skin flakes.
- People with dry skin should not use clay masks as they have drying agents.
Think twice before using one next time, as not every cream penetrates your skin, say experts.
A recent study, by the scientists at the University of Bath in England, claims that cosmetic skin creams do not have the ability to penetrate the skin. According to the study, published in the Journal of Controlled Release, even the tiniest nanoparticle does not penetrate deep enough or carry nutrients under the surface. Instead, the researchers say, they are deposited in deep creases in the skin
So, is it a waste of money to buy cosmetic creams that promise you a 'beautiful and glowing skin'? Don't lose heart, say experts in the city. The study is true, but only partially. The secret is not to compromise on the quality of the product.
Cosmetic physician Dr Rashmi Shetty explains, "The top layer, or the dead skin layer, is the best natural barrier that the skin has. It prevents the skin from absorbing everything for example, soap, water that it comes in contact with. If you want something to penetrate the skin, you have to break this barrier. So, while choosing a face cream, make sure it has the components that has penetrative ability."
Choose carefully
What should one look for in a cosmetic skin cream? Dr Shetty says, "There are ways to make creams penetrate. The first is product engineering. Here, the molecules of the components used are so small that they penetrate the pores. For example, studies have shown that coconut oil penetrates the skin easily. That's because its molecules are small and linear. So, the chemistry of the substance used in the cream is important."
"The second option is to include a vehicle in the cream that will help it to penetrate. For example, creams with ceramide, peptides, AHA and BHA are effective. These compounds dissolve the dead skin barrier and help the cream get absorbed. The idea is to go for products from reputed companies," she adds.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr Aamod Rao agrees, "Our skin has a protective barrier that blocks certain particles. But high-quality creams with active ingredients are quite effective. It's wrong to say no cream penetrates the skin. Don't antibiotic creams, used against fungal infections and other such skin problems, work?"
According to Dr Rao, even good anti-ageing creams are effective in the initial stages. "You should be careful about what you apply on your skin. When it comes to herbal creams, go for those with active ingredients like aloe vera, wheat germ and collagen. They are definitely effective," he says.
Satya Brahma, Editor-In-Chief of Breakfastnews said India is a typical country where the craze for styles are growing, but Dr Rashmi’s approach to deal with dryness, treating pimples and controlling acne, cleansing and firming the skin is worth noting.