When Mother Nature has goodness in abundance for us to use, why then should we look at the commercial products for beauty, health and wellness needs? This is why, we wish to give you the benefits of bentonite clay; a healing clay that has been used for many centuries and one that helps nourish the skin and body, and rid the human system of pesky toxins too.
Also known as Montmorillonite, Bentonite clay was used externally and topically over the body as a clay pollutice or as a mud pack by men and women in the ancient days. These days, most skin care recipes involve Bentonite clay as an active ingredient. When buying Bentonite clay, ensure that the mud is creamish to greyish in tones and color and not pure white. Some say Bentonite Clay is better than botox, thanks to the minerals in it that firm the skin and make it soft and supple too. Let us now understand its benefits:
Bentonite Clay And Its Benefits
Bentonite Clay is unique as it has the power to produce electrical charges when it gets hydrated. The moment it comes in contact with any form of fluids, the electrical composition of Bentonite Clay takes a change, and this is what makes it powerful enough to draw out the toxins from within. Even the heaviest of metals and impurities or chemicals inside the body and on the skin would be drawn out by Bentonite Clay usage- thanks to the electrical charge it has. Bentonite Clay is also a swelling clay; when it comes in contact with water, it swells. It would resemble the likes of a sponge with a lot of pores on it. Keep this in mind and never use metal bowls or spoons when mixing Bentonite Clay for your beauty and wellness needs!
Benefits
Some of the noteworthy benefits of Bentonite Clay:
- Can help defeat GERD and acid reflux issues
- Helps calm down the stomach from constipation and gas, and bloating too.
- For skin allergies
- It adds minerals in the body when consumed
- Defeats nausea
- Helps detox the body
- Good for oral care
- Is an excellent source of probiotics
- Boosts immunity
- Purifies water
- Cures diaper rash in babies
- Helps energize the body when consumed
- Fights food poisoning
- Reduces inflammation and balances the alkaline content in the body
Apart from the benefits we mentioned, there are other many ways Bentonite Clay helps skin, hair, and overall beauty and wellness. Here they are:
Bentonite Clay Mask Benefits
The electrical charges within Bentonite Clay that activates itself when fluids come into contact with it, isn’t only for external toxin removals but also internal as. And yes, it is absolutely safe to consume the healing clay in prescribed amounts too. It helps remove the heavy metals within our bodies. Some apply it as a face mask, a body mask or even have it as a detox drink. The abundant minerals in it, help clean, detox and energize the body entirely. Check below.
- Helps with skin cell regeneration
- Helps detox the skin
- Helps shrink pores
- Helps maintain the pH levels of the skin
- Is anti bacterial, anti microbial and anti fungal
- Prevents acne
- Reduces blackheads
- Educes scars
- Acts as an excellent exfoliation agent
- It evens out the tone of the skin
Excited already? Here are six amazing and very easy Bentonite Clay recipes and masks that you can easily conjure up at home and apply. Take a look:
Bentonite Clay Mask With Different Recipes
Simple Bentonite clay mask recipes to make on your own:
1. PH Level Balancing Face Mask
This is a simple and inexpensive mask that can be made at home.
Ingredients:
- A tbsp of Bentonite Clay
- A tsp of apple cider vinegar
- A tsp of water
Ingredient Importance In Face Mask
| Ingredient | Importance In Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar | It is a natural astringent, which helps balance the pH levels of the skin. |
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl with a spoon.
- Form a gooey paste and apply it on the face and the neck.
- Just ensure the paste isn’t too liquidish, as it won’t sit on the skin and would drip.
- Wait for half an hour or until dry.
- Take a cotton ball, dip it in ice cold water and rub the mask off gently from the face. For the final cleaning, wash the face with cold water. Your face might look pink after this, which is normal. Pat dry the face and moisturize.
Tip:
Do this twice a week for best results. However, if you have sensitive or dry skin; do this once a week.
2. Cleansing Hair And Face Mask
This recipe can be used to treat scalp and hair issues too, as it adds volume, bounce and shine to the hair.
Ingredients:
- A teaspoon of Bentonite Clay
- A teaspoon of Raw honey
- Water
- Half a teaspoon of chamomile oil and calendula flower
- A drop of lavender oil (optional)
Ingredient Importance In Face Mask
| Ingredient | Importance In Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Raw honey | Cleanses hair and skin |
| Chamomile oil and Calendula flower | Helps nourish and hydrate the skin, and promotes skin regeneration |
| Lavender oil | Soothes hair and skin |
Directions:
- Mix them all in a small bowl with a wooden spoon and form a thick gooey paste.
- Once the paste is formed, give it five minutes to rest and apply all over the face, the neck and the forehead.
- If you are using it on your head, start from the scalp and then go to the mid-lengths of the hair.
- Allow it twenty minutes to dry. Then gently wash the face and the hair under warm water. Pat the skin and towel dry your hair.
Tip:
Do this twice a week for the best results!
3. Nourishing Face Mask
This mask is a one stop remedy for all skin related problems.
Ingredients:
- A cup of lavender buds
- An equal amount of calendula flowers
- Tablespoon of oatmeal
- Antioxidants from a teaspoon of flaxseeds
- Tablespoon of water with an equal amount of Bentonite Clay
- Water
Ingredient Importance In Face Mask
| Ingredient | Importance In Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Lavender buds | Soothes the skin |
| Calendula flowers | Helps bring down allergies and skin irritation |
| Oatmeal | Unclogs pores and detoxes skin |
| Flaxseeds | Helps in nourishing and maintaining the pH balance of the skin |
Directions:
- Blend all ingredients well in a blender and make a paste.
- Now add a tablespoon of oatmeal to this paste and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Apply the paste on your face and wait for half an hour.
- Wash off with warm water once it is dry. Pat dry and moisturize the skin.
Tip:
Repeat this twice a week for best results.
4. Fine Lines Reducing Face Mask
Here’s an interesting recipe of Bentonite Clay using spirulina. This is best for those who wish to go vegan in their beauty regimes too. There are no animal products in this face mask, which is why the electrical charges in Bentonite Clay work better.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- A tablespoon of spirulina
- Water
- Bentonite Clay
Ingredient Importance In Face Mask
| Ingredient | Importance In Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Spirulina | Helps in moisture retention, diminishing fine lines, improving elasticity of the skin and acts as a soothing agent and an anti-bacterial agent. Heals sensitive skin and the chlorophyll content helps in cell regeneration |
| Apple cider vinegar | Shrinks pores and unclogs it too. The worry of breakouts is at bay. |
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients and make a smooth paste.
- Apply the mask on the face and wait for half an hour.
- Wash under cold water and in circular gentle motions to clean the face.
- Pat dry and moisturize the skin.
Tip:
Do this thrice a week!
5. Skin Toning Face Mask
This is the final and the most effective recipe.
Ingredients:
- A tablespoon of Bentonite Clay
- A teaspoon of activated charcoal
- A teaspoon of honey
- A teaspoon of water
- A tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
Ingredient Importance In Face Mask
| Ingredient | Importance In Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Activated charcoal | Removes oil and dirt |
| Honey | Moisturizes skin |
| Apple cider vinegar | Balances the pH levels and tones the skin |
Directions:
- In a plastic bag, place all the dry ingredients one at a time and combine them with a wooden spoon. Then add the honey and mix well.
- Now add the apple cider vinegar and mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Let a little air enter into the bag and then seal it.
- Leave it overnight
- The next morning, apply a thin layer or coat of the Bentonite Clay mask on the face.
- Wait for half an hour and let it harden. Remember, Bentonite Clay is spongy when wet and it will make the face feel sucked, so don’t worry when that happens. This is a sign that the toxins are being drawn out and that the electrical charges are working well.
- Wash off with cold water after half an hour. Pat dry the skin and moisturize.
Tip:
Repeat once a week for dry skin, twice a week for oily skin. This is a form of vacuuming the skin and taking out all the dirt.
Did you know that Bentonite clay can be made at home too? Here is how:
How To Make Bentonite Clay
Although Bentonite Clay is readily available in the market, there are other ways to obtain it. Follow these simple steps to make this clay at home.
Directions:
- Take a bowl of cat litter. Yes, you heard us right! Cat litter is nothing but clay granules which contains bentonite.
- Grind the cat litter into a fine powder using a mixer. Ensure that the mixer is absolutely dry to avoid the clay to turn into clumps. Do not add anything to this powder.
- There your Bentonite clay is ready. Start using it for whatever purposes you need!
Now that we have given you various ways to use Bentonite Clay and how to make the special masks too, here are some side effects and precautions to be kept in mind while using Bentonite Clay mask. Take a look:
Side Effects And Precautions
For a very long time, Bentonite Clay has been used as a beauty and a wellness agent, and there is no doubt about the same. However, while we praise the benefits of Bentonite Clay, some experts say there are side effects that we should be aware of when using it. Here is the list:
- You may experience internal discomfort when you consume Bentonite Clay and to get rid of the same, one should drink a lot of water to help the compounds within Bentonite Clay pass out through bowel movements and urine.
- Some even experience headaches and migraines, muscle pains and lethargy after consuming small amounts of Bentonite Clay, say experts. Speak to your doctor when this happens. Even joint pains and stiffness too can happen, which are toxins inside the body that haven’t been pulled out.
- Bentonite Clay baths are excellent, since the body gets nourished and the minerals are fed to the skin. However, if you overdo the same or have prolonged the use of Bentonite Clay body baths, chances are you may feel lethargy and weakness. In some cases, overdoing Bentonite Clay baths can make ageing occur sooner. This is because of the aluminium compounds found in Bentonite Clay that over react and have oestrogen like behaviour inside and outside the body.
- Drinking Bentonite Clay to rid the digestive system of toxins could lead you to suffering from issues such as constipation and nausea because of the calcium content in it. Bentonite Clay sticks to the intestines and causes such problems.
- The minerals in Bentonite Clay can itch the skin and the scalp, which is why, if you have major skin and scalp issues, it would be advised to visit a skin doctor or a trichologist before using any of the Bentonite Clay mask recipes.
We hope this mini guide on Bentonite Clay and how it can help us through many problems comes in handy for you. Please do note the side effects too. Before you use any of the recipes we have shared here, should you have sensitive skin and a sensitive scalp, ensure that you speak to a specialist first.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Please check with your doctor if you can consume Bentonite Clay for healing internal needs and to detox; his words would take precedence over what is written here and elsewhere online.
Source: fashionlady.in