Slowing Down Hardening in Clay Face Mask
Question
I have a liquid face mask formula at home that works very well. However, because it contains ดินสอพอง (clay) as an ingredient, it dries out and hardens when exposed to air for a long time.
Is there a way to make this face mask dry slower and harden slower?
Answer
How to Slow Down Hardening in a Clay Face Mask
Your face mask, which contains clay (like "ดินสอพอง"), hardens because the water in the formula evaporates when exposed to air. Clay particles then bind together, causing the mask to dry and become hard.
To slow down this process and keep the mask moist for longer, you can add a humectant to your formula. Humectants are ingredients that attract and retain moisture from the environment, helping to prevent water loss from the mask.
Here are some humectants you could consider adding:
- Glycerin (USP/Food Grade): A very common and effective humectant. It helps retain moisture and can also improve the texture, making the mask feel softer and smoother. It is water-soluble and can be added to the water phase of your formula. Recommended usage rate is typically 1-100%, but for a face mask, a lower percentage (e.g., 5-20%) might be sufficient to start.
- Diglycerin (90%, Colorless): Similar to Glycerin but with potentially better moisture retention. It can also help boost foam in soap formulations, though its primary benefit here is moisture retention. It is water-soluble and used at 1-20%.
- MOIST24: A humectant that provides long-lasting moisture retention and can also improve the texture and feel of the product, making it less sticky and more pleasant to use. It is water-soluble and can be used at 1-10% (recommended 5-8% for moisturizers, 1-5% for general skincare).
- HumecMax™: A highly effective humectant proven to provide significant moisturizing effects for extended periods. It is water-soluble and used at a lower rate of 0.1-5.0%.
How to incorporate:
- Start by adding a small percentage (e.g., 5-10%) of one of these humectants to your liquid mask base.
- Mix thoroughly to ensure it is evenly distributed.
- Test the mask to see if the drying rate has slowed down to your satisfaction.
- You can adjust the percentage of the humectant if needed, but be careful not to add too much, as it could make the mask feel sticky.
Adding a humectant will help your clay mask stay moist and pliable for a longer period when exposed to air, making it easier to use and store.
