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Get a clay mask for glowing skin

Posted: 16 Feb 2013 12:51 PM PST

Clay, an important medicinal and cosmetic tool, is becoming popular as a treatment for several skincare conditions

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.

I want to work with younger actors of my generation: Asin

Posted: 16 Feb 2013 12:49 PM PST

Asin made an impressive acting debut with Ghajini. But somewhere down the line she got caught up in being the lucky mascot of the so-called 100-crore club. She speaks to TOI about her recent backpacking trip with her girlfriends, where she got time to introspect and decided that, going forward, she will take up work where she gets to act and work with new age directors and actors her age. Excerpts:

Are you satisfied with the kind of roles you are doing as an actor today?
Currently no. I feel there is a lot more to me that has so far not been seen in Bollywood and I find it funny when they say that you are the lucky mascot and part of the 100-crore club, though that does not define me. I got time to sit and think and relax when recently I took this backpacking trip with my school friends to the US. Over all these years of working, I had not taken a proper holiday. Looking back at last year, I realised that I have been running non-stop for just being in the same place. It did not give me the satisfaction I wanted, even though I have no regrets in having done the so-called 100 crore films. Now that I have the numbers, I want to take up roles where I get to act.

Would you agree that you have come down as an actress after Ghajini?
Yes. After Ghajini, I wanted to take up roles which were meatier and better than my debut film, but I was not happy with what I was offered at that time. For a while, even though I got flooded with offers, I chose not to be a part of them. But I was new to Bollywood and was advised to take up the big films with the Khans and the Kumars which I did, thinking probably this is the way this industry works. As a newcomer I was getting the opportunity to work with the big actors, even though usually as a newcomer one needs to work one's way up, to achieve that. While I have no regrets, I admire actors like Aamir and Ranbir who have managed to balance their box office success with critical success.
Looking ahead, I need to be satisfied as an actress. I don't want to compete, I want to be complete. Just like a normal young girl, I want to travel, have a life, do roles that matter and act with actors of my generation. I want to do things that will make me happy.

There is a perception that you will not work with smaller stars. Is that true?
There is a perception that I had taken the decision to work with big stars which is not true. After Ghajini, big films came my way and I took them, but it is not that I am only wanting to work with them. I would love to work with younger actors who are closer to my generation. I am too young to say no.
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