How to Use Clay for Body Detox and Great Skin
I first heard about clay when I applied it to my skin as a face mask, but little did I know how many wonderful uses clay has.
Clay’s healing properties have been known since ancient times, and it is still popular in alternative medicine today.
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter.
When we speak about healing clays, we talk about several types of clay that are great for body detox and skin care:
Types of Clay
1. Bentonite clay– bentonite clay usually forms from weathering of volcanic ash, most often in the presence of water. Bentonite clay has some antibacterial properties that help to combat acne and is a powerful detox agent. Read more about bentonite clay in this article.
2. Green clay – green clay is loaded with iron and magnesium which gives it its green color. It acts fast to absorb oils and toxins, and is suitable for oily skin.
3. White clay – also called kaolin. This is a very gentle clay, and is suitable for sensitive, dry and mature skin. It softens, exfoliates and purifies the skin. It has many benefits including antibacterial and detoxification properties. This type of clay can be used on a daily basis to help clean the skin and remove toxins and dirt from the pores and helps to regenerate cells in the skin.
4. Fuller earth – this is a clay-like earthy material that absorbs bacteria and toxins. It is used as a body or face mask and has a slightly gritty texture that is great for exfoliating. It also has antiseptic properties.
Where to Buy Clay
You can buy all the different types of clay I mentioned online in Azmaon (here or here).
How to Use Clay
1. Taking clay orally to detox your body
Bentonite clay is a powerful detox agent. It is naturally absorbent and gentle on the body’s systems. It contains a certain mineral called montmorillonite, which is believed to be the primary component responsible for its health properties.
Bentonite clay also contains magnesium and many other trace minerals that attract all sorts of toxins, including bacteria, heavy metals and pesticides. It enriches and balances the blood, absorbs radiation and neutralizes poisons in the intestinal tract.
Bentonite clay is very versatile, and is used to treat a large number of physical conditions, such as bloating and constipation, food allergies and food poisoning, colitis, viral infections and parasites.
Bentonite clay helps to detoxify the liver, cleanse the colon, strengthen the immune system, alkalize the body and helps to improve the bacterial balance in the digestive tract.
How to use bentonite – bentonite clay comes in a powder form. Mix 1 tsp of the clay powder into eight ounce glass of water and drink the mixture on an empty stomach and at least one hour before eating or taking other supplements or herbs. This is because you don’t want the clay to interfere with the absorption of beneficial nutrients in your food. A daily regime can be as long as three weeks; then take a break of at least a week.
While bentonite clay is considered to be safe for the body, you will need to consult with your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications or having high blood pressure or if you diagnosed with iron intolerance.
2. Applying clay on your skin
You can use clay externally as a poultice or DIY body wrap or by applying a paste of clay and water on any skin irritation like blemishes, insect bites, cuts, burns, and other skin irritations and common skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
To make a poultice, add water to the clay until you get a paste that holds together and doesn’t fall apart. Then place it on a clean dressing and place gently on the body. Allow time for the affected area to stop hurting. The clay will fall off naturally when it finished its job.
Another use of clay is as a body wrap in spa treatments to get glowing skin, remove the dead layer of skin and draw toxins from the skin. On a deeper level, clay wraps can relieve joint, rheumatic and arthritis pain.
You can also use it as a face mask for smooth and healthy skin:
Clay mask for tightening pores
- Use 2 tablespoons of your favorite clay and mix with enough water to form a thick paste.
- Apply the clay mask to your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin where blackheads tend to appear.
- Leave to dry (should take about 20 minutes).
- Rinse your face with cool water to remove the clay and impurities from your skin.
- Apply the clay mask once or twice a week.
Honey and clay mask for acne
Honey has antibacterial properties and is commonly used in face masks (like these ones) and to treat acne.
For this acne face mask you will need:
- Mix 1 tsp. raw organic honey, 1 tsp. bentonite clay (or other type of clay) and enough water to make a paste (optional: you can add a few drops of tea tree oil which is one of the best essential oils for acne).
- Apply the mask to your face and leave for 20 minute and then rinse with warm water.
- Repeat the mask once or twice weekly.
Clay and jojoba oil mask
You can also make a healing face mask from clay and jojoba oil. A study published in 2012 found that a mixture a clay and jojoba oil is effective for treating both non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. Here is how to make the face mask:
- Mix a small amount of your favorite clay with some jojoba oil and make a paste.
- Gently apply to the skin and leave for 15 minutes.
- Gently rinse off with water.
- Apply a small amount of jojoba oil to moisturize the skin.
3. Clay baths
Clay baths help to detox the body, as well as soften and rejuvenate your skin.
Here is an easy recipe for bath salt that adds minerals to the bathwater that cleanse the skin. Apart from white clay, this recipe contains Epsom salts that are naturally occurring pure mineral compounds made of sulfate and magnesium. There are many extraordinary uses for Epsom salt, however it is most commonly added to a hot bath or foot soak where the salt penetrates into the skin to reduce stress and detox the body
Ingredients
1/2 cup of bentonite Clay
1 cup of Epsom salts
Few drops of your favorite essential oil mixed in a tablespoon of carrier oil
Fill in the bath with warm water. Mix the bentonite clay in a small bowl with some warm water so there are no clumps and add to the bath water. Add Epsom salts and essential oil. Soak in your bath for approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
If you really want to increase the detox effect of your body, you should consider dry brushing your skin before getting into the clay bath. Dry brushing is an ancient technique which is part of the Indian Ayurveda and holds numerous health benefits. Dry brushing exfoliates the skin and removes dead cells, improves blood circulation and helps the lymphatic system release toxins. Another added bonus is stress relief.
Choose a brush with firm bristles but not too hard. The bristles should be natural, typically vegetable-derived. It’s best to choose a long handle that can easily reach to areas such as the back. The best time to do dry brushing is in the shower before washing yourself when your skin is dry. The brush itself should also be dry.
As the lymphatic system flows towards the heart, you should always brush towards your heart using long gentle strokes (avoid back and forth movement).
Apply a firm pressure but not too painful to avoid irritating the skin: your skin should be pink after a session and not red. Start from the feet, and then work up your legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms. It’s best to avoid your face as usually the facial skin is too sensitive. Dry brush yourself for about 3-5 minutes and then wash away the dead skin cells and impurities.
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