How about a Clay Face Mask? Keep reading for benefits and recipes!

Have you ever used a Clay face mask before? Did you like it?…who doesn’t? Clay has SOOO many benefits for your skin, hair and even internally. Keep reading for the many different types of Clay, the benefits of each and how to use them. Also some free recipes for YOUR skin type, where to buy them and a link to buy already made face masks if you wanna do it the easy way 🙂

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite Clay is pure, natural and derived from weathered volcanic ash…the stuff that’s been here for millions of years! One of the first findings of bentonite was in the Cretaceous Benton Shale near Rock River, Wyoming. Although it’s found all over the world, it got its name from a place called Fort Benton, Wyoming where there is an abundance of the clay along with Montana.

It is one of my favorite Clays. It’s a powerhouse that has been used for centuries to detoxify and heal the skin and body. Our bodies are exposed to many pollutants every day from free radicals, sun exposure, dirt, grease, dust, smoke and more. While we can’t control most of that we CAN try and reduce the damaging effects by treating yourself like a queen and pampering your skin!

Bentonite clay (montmorillonite clay) is loaded with minerals including calcium, copper, magnesium, silica, sodium, iron, and potassium. It also has nearly 70 trace elements. With so many beneficial nutrients, you can really think of bentonite clay as a natural multivitamin! Along with being nutrient-dense, it’s touted for its amazing detoxing abilities.

Bentonite Clay is a beast for sucking up harmful toxins!

It has a negative electrical charge and toxins (like bacteria & pollutants) have a positive electrical charge. Take a look at what happens next…

• Absorption occurs when a molecule enters the bulk of a substance. For instance, how a sponge holds onto water
• Adsorption occurs when a molecule clings to the surface of a substance like how a magnet sticks to a refrigerator.

Did you get that? Good…moving on. So you put some of this amazing Bentonite Clay all over your face, and this is what happens. The negatively charged bentonite molecules attract the positively charged impurities (through adsorption). When those impurities reach the surface of your skin the Bentonite will gulp up all the bad stuff (through absorption). Easy as that right?!

Heals Acne, Prevents Blackheads and Unclogs Pores

Acne sucks. We all hate it. But we can help prevent acne in the first place. Bentonite Clay sucks up the excess sebum from the outer layer of your skin, preventing acne. It controls over production of sebum which causes clogged pores and causes acne breakouts. It prevents blackheads from forming. Since this clay is negatively charged (remember talking about that above?) and the icky bad stuff is positively charged this means that all that gunky icky grease, dirt, oil is pulled out thanks to bentonite clay. This leaves the skin and pores nice clean and unclogged 🙂

Speeds up Healing

Bentonite Clay heals damaged skin tissues and aids in the regeneration of new skin cells. In turn this helps remove wrinkles and fine lines by tightening the skin. If you have a wound or new scar, add some Bentonite to it to help speed up the healing time.

Exfoliates, Tones and Evens Skin Tone

I don’t know about you but I suffer from uneven skin tone…like bad. I’m at the young age of 40, ugh, and my skin has been making trouble for me lately! Bentonite Clay can help even out your skin tone and here’s how…its a gentle and natural exfoliator, it cleans and clears up pores, retains moisture and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, making you have a younger, fresher more even tone. Who doesn’t wanna look younger? I do!

Brighter Glowing Youthful looking skin

With all of the amazing benefits of Bentonite Clay for your skin theres no wonder why it leaves your skin feeling smooth, clean and fresh and looking bright, glowing with a more youthful appearance.

Bentonite Clay internal benefits

Now we are going to talk about the benefits of Bentonite Clay internally. When Bentonite Clay comes in contact with a liquid it immediately latches onto nearby molecules. When taken internally, the clay and the toxic molecules moves through your intestines and eliminated out of your body. The Bentonite Clay is like a magnet for toxins but releases all of the good benefits is has into your body and no worries about it pulling any of the good stuff out of your body either because it won’t!

Boosts Immunity

This wonderful clay has antibiotic properties that help ward off infections, diseases and viruses. It strengthens the lining of your intestines. This is very important because nearly 80% of our immune system is in our gut. Healthy gut = strong immune system.

Helps with Digestive Issues

This clay is often used to relief nausea, diarrhea and acid reflux. It also helps with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Leaky gut syndrome. This can also help your beloved fur babies.

Anti-bacterial and Anti-inflammatory

Bentonite Clay can aid the body in eliminating toxins which helps reduce inflammation. Inflammation is bad, like real bad. Drs say its the root of almost all diseases. It absorbs bacterial toxins and destroys a wide spectrum of bacteria over a period of 24 hours in laboratory experiments.

Boosts Energy

I think I’m speaking for us all by saying WE ALL NEED MORE ENERGY! Dump some Bentonite Clay down your throat and you’ll feel more energized…don’t really dump it in your throat, that would be hard to swallow hahaha! Anyways, this clay will give you energy by pulling excess hydrogen from your body’s cells allowing more oxygen to enter your cells. When your cells have more oxygen, you feel more energized!

Improves the Health of Teeth and Gums

The first thing I notice about people is their smile. If you want healthier teeth and gums Bentonite Clay can help with that. Your mouth can get pretty dirty…how often do you wash your hands? Do you wash them before you touch your food each meal? Are you a nail biter? Bacteria is all over your hands and if you put your fingers in your mouth, there is now bacteria in your mouth yuck! Bentonite Clay will grab all the bacteria and bad stuff in your mouth like a magnet…AND it will leave behind all the good minerals and nutrients that are good for your teeth. Smile 🙂

Cleans and Conditions your Hair

Even regular shampooing won’t get your hair “really clean”. Especially if you use hair products like hair spray, gels and leave in conditioners etc. The product builds up on your hair and can cause your hair to look lifeless, dull and difficult to manage. It can also cause permanent damage to your hair. Bentonite Clay can condition your hair with all of its good minerals that will help soften and defrizz hair, especially curly hair. It may also support hair growth and give you shinier hair. It helps keep dandruff away as well.

Simple Bentonite Clay face mask

• 1 teaspoon Bentonite Clay
• 1 teaspoon Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) Bragg’s is an awesome brand that I always buy
• 1 teaspoon water
  • If you mix just the clay and water it will create a lumpy mask so that’s why the vinegar is added.
  • No, using vinegar will not dry out your skin. Bentonite Clay is very Alkaline at about 9 PH and Apple Cider Vinegar is very Acidic at about 2 PH. When mixed it creates a good balance of PH.

Mix this all together until you have a smooth consistency and then apply a layer thick enough that it covers your face, and neck if you want. Avoid getting it too close to your eyes. Leave this on for about 10 min and don’t let it dry. If it dries within the 10 minutes then you didn’t put enough on. No worries, you want to do this 1-2 times a week for normal, combination or oily skin. If you have dry skin only do it once a week or a little longer.

Bentonite Hair Mask

This hair mask will help cleanse and detox your hair. It will remove all of the build up that has accumulated removing dead skin cells which clog hair follicles and slow down hair growth.

• 5 tbsp Bentonite Clay
• 3 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (organic, with the mother)
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp organic oil.
  • You can use Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil or Grapeseed Oil
  • For dry hair you can use Coconut Oil, Olive Oil or Avocado Oil

Use a NON-metal bowl to mix with because the metal will react with the clay and cause oxidation to the metal.

Directions: Put the clay in a non-metal bowl, add the vinegar and mix well. Add the oil and mix, then add the water. Mix well and apply liberally to your DAMP hair by sectioning hair into smaller sections for easier application. Get it from roots to tips but don’t massage into the scalp because it may cause damage. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 20 min and then rinse out really well. Follow up with a conditioner if you want and your hair will be oh so happy and healthy!

If you have really long hair you may have to adjust the amounts for this recipe.

How to take Bentonite Clay internally?

You should use FOOD grade Bentonite Clay for internal use. Check the labels and contact the manufacturer for more information. Also drink more water than usual while taking Bentonite Clay.

If you’re looking for a general standard detox you can mix 1/2-1 teaspoons of Clay into a glass with 8 oz of water. Mix or shake very well and drink immediately or the clay will start to settle on the bottom. Do this every day for one week and then give it a few days rest before starting another round.

So there you have it! Some of the many uses of Bentonite Clay, topically and internally. There are many more uses out there!

Check out these other links for more amazing Clays!

• French Green Clay
• Rose Clay
• Dead Sea Clay
• Kaolin Clay
• Rhassoul Clay
• Fullers Earth

So, what are your thoughts on this post? Did you find it informative and useful? Show me some love and share it with your friends and family 🙂

Please be aware that Bentonite Clay may interfere with certain types of medication and/or lessen the effects of medication or herbs you’re already taking. This Clay should be used if you have certain conditions and/or diseases. Please consult your physician prior to taking Bentonite Clay internally.

WARNING/DISCLAIMER: I am not a dr and all information on my blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advise or treatment. Always seek advice from your health care provider with any questions you may have about your health