Bentonite Clay for the Skin

Bentonite Clay for the Skin

Bentonite clay is a natural clay with a fine, soft texture. It forms a paste when mixed with water. Some people use this paste for medical or cosmetic benefits, such as treating rashes and acne or as a hair mask.

Bentonite is a very old clay that has been used as a remedy for many things. The fine powder forms when volcanic ash ages. It’s named after Fort Benton, WY, which has a lot of it. But it’s found all over the world. It’s also known as Montmorillonite clay after a region in France with a large deposit. And you may hear it called calcium bentonite clay.

Benefits for the skin

Bentonite clay is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Bentonite clay is also a popular ingredient in skincare products. Applying a lotion or cream with bentonite clay in it creates a barrier between your skin and possible irritants.

Bentonite clay also helps skincare products adhere to your skin and be more water resistant. Sunscreen that contains bentonite clay has been found by Trusted Source to be more effective than some other sunscreens without it.

 this clay literally seeks positivity! In its natural powdered state, bentonite clay has negatively charged molecules. If you can remember from your school days, molecules tend to look for other molecules that are oppositely charged to make themselves "complete".Well, most toxins and impurities are positively charged, therefore Bentonite actually becomes electrically charged when introduced to nasty toxins.

Bentonite Clay is great for cleaning out your pores and exfoliating dead skin cells. Acne, blackheads, and whiteheads are often the result of your skin producing too much oil within your pores. The clay is able to bind to bacteria and toxins that live within your pores and unclog any impurities that may be causing your breakouts and blemishes.

Another fantastic ingredient found in Bentonite Clay is a mineral called silica. Silica is mostly known for strengthening connective tissues in our bodies, but it's also a master of silkiness! Silica happens to be a strong carrier for oxygen, which makes your skin look supple and hydrated. Combined with the exfoliating skills of the clay, the silica mineral should leave your skin feeling silky smooth! 

Uneven skin tone develops over time from elements like sun exposure, skin breakouts, and aging - amongst dozens of other things. Not to mention, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin don't leave much room for newer, younger cells to grow. To get this bentonite clay benefit, simply add the clay to your daily cleansing rituals to remove dead skin cells and even out your tone and texture, giving your complexion the appearance of balance.

Not only do the dirt and oils that clog your skin cause irritating pimples, but all that gunk also stretches your pores out! To keep dirt and bacteria from falling into your pores like giant black holes, use it to keep your pores clean and allow them to shrink back to teeny tiny.

Bentonite Clay Risks

Bentonite clay is generally OK to use on your skin and hair. But the FDA doesn’t regulate health and cosmetic products, so there’s no way to know exactly what’s in them or if they’ll work. If you want to try it, test a little bit of the clay on your skin first to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction.

Studies have not found serious side effects of using bentonite clay in recommended amounts. However, because it is a natural product, there is a risk of contamination. Bentonite clay comes from the earth, where it may collect heavy metals, pesticides, or other substances. 

Doctors don’t recommend eating clay. It could cause a blockage in your intestines. And it can affect how you absorb nutrients and electrolytes. Plus, clay or soil can have high levels of harmful germs and heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury. The FDA has warned against using at least two brands of bentonite clay supplement found to contain lead.