CLAY CLAN ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
CELEBRITY FANS: Madonna, models Ashley Graham and Adwoa Aboah and singer Jessie J.
WHAT IS IT: Clay masks are renowned for drawing out impurities, helping prevent spots and brightening tired skin. They are also a terrific way for Madonna, 60-year-old attention seeker extraordinaire, to ‘get down with the kids’ on Instagram and post pictures of herself.
As the name suggests, they are made principally of clay, dug from the earth in different countries, containing minerals and salts unique to their country of original. Grainy in texture, they can pull dirt from pores as they dry and exfoliate the skin.
DOCTOR’S VERDICT: ‘Clay masks have a really limited use. Even though they may contain exfoliators and vitamins, you should only leave them on the skin while they remain moist, which gives barely time for any ingredients to work. Leave them on for too long and the clay will suck moisture out of the skin, leaving it dry and itchy.’ 1/5
GIVE IT A GO: Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, £24, Kiehl’s