Bentonite, or red, clay is one of the more popular beauty clays available for cosmetic use. However, there is a large range of cosmetic clays that can be used on your face and body each with different benefits.
Bentonite and other clays have played an important role in cosmetics and skin care since ancient times. For thousands of years, people have been using this miraculous mud to keep skin young and beautiful. Indeed, many of the benefits of clays have been forgotten.
Today we can purchase bentonite and other types of clay from pharmacies and shops that sell natural cosmetics.
- Clay can help remove impurities, release toxins and irritant substances that can cause problems for your skin.
- It can also reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and absorb excess sebum.
Each type of clay has a different texture and color which come from the minerals it contains. The colors range from red, brown and green to yellow, white and even pink.
Table of Contents
Types of clay and their benefits
Here are some of the many types of cosmetic clays available:
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Red clay (Bentonite)
Bentonite clay gets its distinctive red hue from the iron oxide within it. It contains over 70 minerals and has antibacterial properties that help reduce acne, improve circulation and heal skin inflammation.
Red clay is suitable for normal, dry and dull skin types and is good for deep cleaning your complexion. You can also use red clay twice a week to help with acne.
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White clay (Kaolin)
Kaolin is a delicate clay which is rich in minerals. It isn’t very absorbent making it suitable for sensitive, irritated, dry and mature skin. It gently cleanses and smoothes skin.
White clay is one of the most versatile clays and it is mainly used in cosmetics due to its antibacterial and exfoliating properties. This type of clay can be used to remove dirt and clean your pores, but also regenerate skin cells.
White clay is the solution for a flawless complexion.
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Green Clay (Montmorillonite)
Green Clay is the most absorbent type of clay and helps absorb toxins and helps purifies your skin. Green clay is perfect for oily skin types, as it can help with blackheads, pimples, white spots, and acne. Green Clay has a tonic action on the skin, leaving it fresh and revitalized.
You can use green clay-based treatments weekly to control excess sebum.
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Yellow Clay
Yellow clay is rich in minerals such as copper, zinc and potassium and has powerful detoxifying properties, refreshing the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, but is recommended for oily or sensitive skin.
It’s widely used in body wraps due to its detoxifying effects.
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Pink Clay
Pink clay is a mix of many of the other clays listed here. It is this blend that gives it it’s distinct color and wide range properties.
It offers medium absorbency and cleanses the skin well. Pink clay is recommended for sensitive skin, although it is suitable for all skin types.
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Fuller’s Earth Clay
Fuller’s Earth Clay is another type of white clay which is used as a skin-lightening agent. It contains silicon, iron, and magnesium.
This type of clay is suitable for oily or acne skin as well as for blemishes. It absorbs the excess oil from the skin efficiently and is often included in many shop-bought face masks for oily skin.
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Rhassoul Clay
Has a reddish-brown color and is the product normally found in most spas. It is rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, sodium and has astringent and absorption properties.
Rhassoul clay is a natural mineral clay mined found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This particular type of clay has been used by Moroccan women for centuries to care for their skin and hair.
Rhassoul Clay improves the elasticity and clarity of the skin while moisturizing it at the same time. There are many products on the market such as facial masks, shampoo and hair conditioners that contain this type of clay.
How to use clay in your beauty regime
Clay is used in many cosmetic products such as make-up, body wraps, scrubs, and hair masks, but the most common use is for face masks.
I have 3 ways you can use clay in your weekly beauty regime:
Bentonite clay face mask
The idea behind this mask is to give a youthful glow and make your skin smoother.
This mask achieves this by using the clay as a mild scrub and the other ingredients to feed your skin:
- Honey has amazing antibacterial properties that help soothe irritation and encourage the growth of new skin tissue.
- Yogurt shares these antibacterial properties and also gently smooths the skin reducing fine lines.
- To nourish your skin, use milk as part of your beauty routine.
Please note: if you have dry skin you should keep the mask on for less time to prevent over-drying your complexion.
For dry skin
Ingredients required
- Water
- Bentonite clay
Steps
- In a bowl add a small amount of water to the clay
- Mix thoroughly until smooth
- Apply to the face
- Keep it on for only 5 minutes
- Wash the mask off using warm water before it dries out
For other skin types (oily, combination, mature or sensitive)
Ingredients required
- Either honey, yogurt or milk
- Bentonite clay
Steps
- In a bowl add a small amount of either the honey, yogurt or milk to the clay
- Mix thoroughly until smooth
- Apply a thin layer to the face
- Keep it on for 15-20 minutes
- Wash the mask off using warm water before it dries out
For best results, this mask should be applied once a week.
Clay body wraps
Some companies claim that clay body wraps can help with weight loss.
While they can make your skin feel nice and smooth, the idea that a body wrap can whittle away inches from your waist or thighs is debatable.
I find them quite enjoyable and strongly believe they work. Just make sure you have lots of water to hand so you don’t become dehydrated.
Ingredients required
- Water
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Bentonite clay
- Plastic wrap
Steps
- Boil 2 cups of water and add a quarter of a cup of salt in a large bowl
- Mix the salt so it dissolves
- Add 2 TBSP of olive oil and 1 cup of clay
- Mix all the ingredients well until they are combined
- Apply the mask to your body
- Wrap plastic wrap around the area tightly
- Relax
- After 30 minutes remove the wrap and wash off the clay with warm water
How to use clay in a bath
A clay bath is very relaxing and has been part of the culture of beauty for thousands of years. Some people claim it gives smooth, healthy skin all over your body.
But be warned, it can be a bit messy so be prepared to clean up afterward!
Ingredients required
- Water
- Powdered clay
Steps
- Draw yourself a bath
- Mix two cups of clay powder in hot water until completely dissolved
- Soak in the bath for 20-30 minutes
- Don’t forget to pour yourself a nice glass of wine to help you unwind. 😉
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Phillip
Hello. 🙂
Thanks for beautifully edited post. I will write you my experience and I hope it helps you or your readers. 🙂
Whatever the name of the clay, it is important what minerals that clay contains. Kaolin clay mineral is better for sensitive, thin, lighter skin and hair, while bentonite (montmorillonite) is better for thicker, oily and darker skin and hair. Kaolin is great for bleeding wounds, bentonite is better for bone fractures, ulcers, varicose veins and tissue and tooth regeneration.
It is very important with what additional ingredients clay is mixed. My use of clay for over 10 years has shown that selection of additional ingredients is very important for a successful clay treatment. There are many resources online about clay recipes, but I think the following two are best and with the best added ingredients for skin and health issues:
1) Android app “Clay – cosmetic & healing (masks, cataplasms, baths)”
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ascom.as.glina
2) book: Raymond Dextreit – The healing power of clay
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-Power-Clay-Raymond-Dextreit/dp/B002BWKNR0
I hope the information in these two resources will help you and your readers.
Best Regards. 🙂