Good clay ideas

If you thought that dirt was only good for growing veggies and making a mess, think again. People in various parts of the world have been putting clay on their faces and ingesting it too for countless centuries.

Clay is an elemental substance which people today use for multi-purposes such as construction products, pottery making, and in cosmetics. However, the therapeutic value of clay should not be overlooked.

How is Bentonite clay formed?

Clay minerals typically form over long periods of time from the gradual chemical weathering of rocks, usually silicate-bearing, by low concentrations of carbonic acid and other diluted solvents.

Bentonite clay also called Montmorillonite, is a very popular healing clay that also cleanses the body. This clay is made from minerals such as iron, sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium, formed from volcanic ash. The name of the clay (bentonite) comes from the biggest deposit of Bentonite clay that is located in Fort Benton, Wyoming.

Adding water to the clay gives it a negative electric charge, which in turn, removes toxins from the body. It works both externally and internally.

Clay works both internally and topically to help detox and clarify. If you desire clear, fresh and vital skin, here are a few reasons why you should try a bentonite clay face mask!

Clay unclogs the skin pores and shrinks them

Whether you have oily skin or not, your pores will undoubtedly become clogged at some point. Shrinking the size of your pores can help tremendously with keeping your face clean and blemishes as bay. Make a mask from clay using enough water and clay to make a paste along with a little lime juice. Apply to your face and neck and leave it on for about thirty minutes. You will feel your face tighten slightly as the mask dries. Rinse with warm tap water and pat dry with a clean towel. Repeat this twice a week to reduce the size of your pores and leave your skin feeling vital and fresh.

Clay helps control the overproduction of sebum

Too much oil on the skin, abnormal shedding of dead skin cells and excess bacteria generally results in acne. You may also be prone to outbreaks if you take certain medication, produce too much sebum (a natural oil) or have a family history of acne. Blackheads or whiteheads are produced due to an excess of sebum, which cause blocks within the hair follicles on the skin. Oily skin with too much sebum encourages the production of bacteria which irritates the skin. This can result in acne.

To keep your skin soft, supple and blemish-free, use a dab of clay mixed with water directly on blemishes. Leave on overnight and repeat until blemish is gone.