You don’t often find a product that is so versatile for skin and wellness — but Bentonite Clay has been used for thousands of years for its skin benefits as well as detoxifying properties.

Aristotle wrote about those who ingested clay to benefit their health around 300BC and early Native Americans called it Ee Wah Kee or which meant “The Mud That Heals.” And most famously, Cleopatra used mud from the Nile River in her spa and bathing rituals.

What is Bentonite Clay?

Calcium Bentonite Clay is derived from volcanic ash and is found worldwide. It has incredible detoxifying and cleansing properties to address skin issues or allergy conditions like poison ivy or eczema. The majority of bentonite is found and produced in Wyoming, but it’s located around the world in Greece, Italy, India, China, and Australia as well.

Some ingest the compound for internal benefit (fighting bacteria and supporting gut health), but for our purposes, we’re going to focus on external uses — it can be used as a face mask, a hair mask, and in other spot or cleansing skin care regimens.

How Bentonite Clay Works

This clay amazingly holds an electrical charge. Because it carries a negative electrical charge, it can absorb toxins, which hold a positive charge. If you are concerned about your environment, or everyday exposure to pesticides, lead, or other heavy metals, this type of clay is perfect for detoxifying.

When you need to detox, prepare a good foot soak or enjoy a full bath to relax, unwind, and release the unhealthy things your body is holding on to.

Bentonite Clay for Skin

This volcanic clay works for your skin by absorbing and removing excess oil and impurities like blackheads. As it absorbs the toxins and dirt, it’s also releasing nutrients back into the skin. Some skin conditions you can try to use bentonite clay on are —

• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Wounds
• Skin Ulcers
• Acne
• Poison Ivy
• Poison Oak
• Diaper Rashes

You can apply bentonite directly to your skin as a clay mask or as a substitute cleanser. As with anything you will need to test a small patch of your skin before using it regularly, just to be sure you’re not sensitive to it!

Since it absorbs oil so well, those with oily skin can possibly tolerate daily use while those with normal to dry skin may want to use it 1-2 times a week. And as an added bonus, you’ll be feeding your skin calcium, silica, sodium, iron, and magnesium, which can help your skin look brighter.

Is Bentonite Clay Anti Aging?

When used regularly, you’ll find that your skin is clearer and you have less dirt and bacteria which means fewer large pores or acne flares! One compound in Bentonite Clay is silica, which helps our skin build tissue, carry oxygen, and ultimately feel more silky. All of these things will contribute to a healthy anti-aging regimen!

Make Your Clay Mask

Before you go out and purchase a pound of bentonite clay powder from some online retailer, be sure you know that you’re getting a quality product! You want to be sure the clay you’re getting is good for you. Some clay can contain lead or other heavy metals — be very cautious if you intend to ingest it.

As an added bonus, with its natural coloring, it’s unlikely to ever stain your bathrooms or counters like other clays — which is a huge win! Also, if the clay looks white, it may have gone bad as it should look grey or cream.

To make your bentonite clay mask, simply add small amounts of water to the powder until you have a thickened consistency. Smooth a layer on your face and leave on for about 10 minutes before removing it with a warm wet washcloth.

Once you’ve washed off the bentonite clay, you would follow up with your regular skincare routine. We love experimenting with home remedies that support our holistic skincare goals!

Check out our complete line of luxury meets natural products to help your skin thrive with clean ingredients.