I Tried Bentonite Clay, and This Happened...
Back around a year or so ago, I started hearing people talking. The people I hang out with are big into spa goods and skincare. Each of them was talking about this one product that was trending on Amazon, how cheap it was, and how good it was for their skin. I was curious, but I didn’t always buy into the fads.
Like many other people on the net, these skincare gurus were all talking about Amazon Secret. It’s currently the #1 best-selling clay mask on Amazon, not to mention one of the highest-rated. I’m not one to believe most online reviews, but when I started seeing it pop up at Urban Outfitters, I eventually bit the bullet and decided to give it a try.
Let me talk about Aztec Secret.
My experiences with cheap skincare is mixed at best, especially when it came to clay masks. The additives usually irritate my sensitive skin and the results are mixed at best. Aztec Secret is a little different, since it’s made of 100 percent pure bentonite clay. Since it’s all natural and pretty much as additive-free as it gets, I decided to give it a chance.
Right now, there are around 16,000 ratings with the majority of them positive. It’s a cult beauty item that’s made its rounds in just about every hyper-trendy clique out there. Trends that stay for years usually have some decent quality, at least when it came to beauty. I figured it was a chance to give it a try.
I ordered it and the tub of clay came.
via Penned Pieces
The tub itself was pretty nondescript. It looked like a product you’d get in a dollar store, if you didn’t know any better. Everything seemed normal until I opened it, anyway. The first thing that stood out for me was the fact that the clay wasn’t wet or premixed; it was straight powder.
I looked on the back of the tub for instructions. The instructions said that it’s best to mix the clay with apple cider vinegar or plain water. I mixed the mask up with some water, and then prepped my face for it.
On the back of the tub of clay, it mentioned that you’ll “FEEL YOUR FACE PULSATE!” I’m not going to lie, I got a little bit scared. I’m not sure how I feel about my face pulsating. I don’t think faces are supposed to do that.
So, I applied it and waited.
I’m no stranger to clay masks, so slathering it on was not a problem. Because I have sensitive skin, I waited about 15 minutes for the mask to take effect. During those 15 minutes, I started to feel my skin tighten up. There was definitely a strong tingle, to the point that I started wondering if what I was feeling was the actual clay pulling stuff out of my pores.
Then I tried to wash it off. Repeatedly.
via The Herbal Academy
I don’t know if it was my weird skin or just the way I mixed the mask, but getting bentonite clay off my face proved to be harder than I expected. I rinsed with warm water, and started to scrub. And kept trying to wipe away the mask. And I kept trying.
Overall, it took me about 20 minutes to get the clay off my face.
By the time that I got the clay off my face, my skin was pretty red. Amazon Secret’s instructions acknowledged this to be normal, and assured me that the redness would go away after 30 minutes. It did, but taking off the mask was still one hell of a process.
So, my results were actually pretty good.
As someone who has serious blackhead issues, I appreciate a mask that can help out with that. I won’t say that all my blackheads disappeared in one session, but the bentonite clay definitely helped me out with some. My skin felt smoother, firmer, and just had a better overall glow than it did earlier in the day.
Over the course of the next week, my skin had fewer breakouts than before. I gotta say, I was pleased.
My advice is this…
Amazon Secret is one of those masks that really does pack a powerful punch, and it’s definitely one that can deliver results. That being said, it’s a mask that definitely not a daily mask. It’s also not the type of clay mask that should be done while ignoring the directions. Following the instructions definitely makes the experience better.
Even though I have sensitive skin, I still was able to use this mask well. Though I can use it, I wouldn’t say that this is a mask that is suitable for daily wear. Between the time it takes to rinse off the mask and the sheer power of the mask’s ability to draw out impurities, I’d suggest keeping this to a once a week treat.
Cover image via Mind Body Green