What is Bentonite clay?
Bentonite clay consists of aged volcanic ash also known as “Montmorillonite.” It is an odorless Yellow color with an almost soft, very fine consistency. Unlike some other clays, it doesn’t stain and is easy to work with in beauty and natural remedy recipes. Healing clays like bentonite have a high concentration of minerals including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and potassium. It also absorbs and removes toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.
Because of this, bentonite clay is a common ingredient in detox and cleansing products. Common external uses include poultices, mud packs, detox baths and skin care recipes.
Sodium Bentonite clay for Skin
Bentonite’s main component is montmorillonite, a soft clay formed of silica and alumina. Montmorillonite is negatively charged and attracts positively charged molecules to bind to it.
Montmorillonite’s negative charge gives rise to bentonite clay’s effects. Similar to a magnet, it attracts positively charged molecules and binds them to its surface (adsorbs them). This way, it can trap many heavy metals and toxins, preventing them from entering the body.
Montmorillonite particles have an astonishingly large surface area, which gives them a high capacity to bind toxins. The particles also take up water alongside toxins, infusing both into the spaces between their layers and causing the whole clay to swell [
Benefits of Sodium Bentonite Clay
Relieves itchiness from insect bites, hives, poison ivy, and poison oak. Studies have shown that bentonite clay can prevent or diminish rashes.
Reduces discomfort and appearance of eczema
Heals acne, minimizes pores, and evens skin tone
Reduces appearance of scars
Soothes and minimizes razor burn
Detoxes armpits
Makes hair soft, shiny, and healthy
Defines and adds texture to curly and natural hair
Directions for use
Bentonite clay normally comes as a clay powder. You can prepare a paste simply by adding water until you achieve the desired, yogurt-like consistency. To make sure your clay is not too diluted, add water to the powder bit by bit, letting the clay soak it up gradually.
Soothing skin paste: apply a paste on burns, bites, and rashes, and leave until it dries.
Face mask: make a paste and leave on the skin for 10-20 minutes.
Hair mask: apply a paste on the hair from root to tip 1x-2x/week. You can add a bit of apple cider vinegar with water and even mix in a couple of drops of your favorite hair-nourishing oil.
Armpit detox: apply a paste on the armpits to remove toxins.
Skin-softening bath: add bentonite clay to your bath water to soften the skin and get rid of built-up skin toxins.
Precautions- For external use only. Rub a very small mix on the inside of your elbow area to test for any allergic reaction before use. Not Suitable for dry skin. It may not be suitable for dry skin. Avoid contact with eyes, keep out of the reach of children. If pregnant, consult with your health care provider before use. Do not use metal bowls as it may react with it.
