I used a White clay mask this afternoon

[stainesmassif]

And now have three spots where there were none before!
Why?
And how is this beneficial?

Am not generally spotty.

It draws out nasties! That's why they say not to have a facial just before an important social event.

But why do I need the nasties drawn out? What would've happened to them otherwise?

(I realise I may appear dense to resident s&b posters, but it really makes no sense to me)

The phrase "if it's not broke, don't fix it" springs to mind!

Clay is basically used in beauty products to draw out impurities and reduce oiliness, so are generally recommended for those with blemish prone skin. Perhaps it wasn't the right product for you if that wasn't your reason for using a mask in the first place.

I used a Lush mask with garlic in that is designed to draw out impurities and had a whole face full the next day!!! It was brilliant at drawing them all out but...um....I looked better when they were all hiding underneath!

You see, I am a firm believer in "better out than in"

Seriously, if you become spotty after a mask it is a good thing. You are drawing out the toxins and therefore enhancing blood flow and ultimately on the road to better skin tone.

If you become spotty after using a particular moisturiser then that is a very bad thing and you should change :)

It was a present from my sil and I'm sure it said something about 'age defying' on the packet and nothing about 'spot producing', however, I do see your point tulpe and will see what happens over next couPle of days.

Thing is, I wondered, if I kept using the mask and drew out all the crap from under my skin, would I get to a point where my skin was lovely and clear, or would it just keep 'filling up' and be a never-ending cycle of crap?

I would also have had to hide in my house cos it was so bad for about 3 weeks.

well the spots cleared up quicker than usual, so maybe i'll persevere. my diet is pretty good atm - bf plus weightwatchers, so my skin really has NO RIGHT to break out.