Finally switched to a serum-based facial after a disaster with a clay mask in Sacramento

I was doing a deep pore cleansing facial on a client last Wednesday and the clay mask dried way too fast on her combo skin. It started cracking and pulling and she said it felt tight and uncomfortable. I felt so bad. I had to soak it off with warm cloths and switch to a hydrating serum mask halfway through. She was nice about it but I could tell she was annoyed. Now I'm testing serums on myself before using them on clients. Has anyone else had a clay mask go wrong on a specific skin type?

3 comments

3 Comments

joelt702mo ago

Clay mask on combo skin? Couple more minutes and you'd have had a renaissance painting.

cole9942mo ago

Wait, are you saying you actually left it on that long?

the_eric1mo ago

I'm gonna push back on this because I think you're being too hard on yourself - clay masks drying out is normal and sometimes clients just don't communicate their skin type well, which is why @cole994 asking if you left it on too long is actually the real question here. Combo skin can handle clay if you keep an eye on it and spray it with water or toner to stop it from fully drying, so the issue might have been more about timing than the product itself. You made the right call switching to serum when you saw it wasn't working, that's just good service, not a mistake.