Volcanic Ash

When you learn that one of the latest need-to-know skincare ingredients hails from the fires of a volcano, you might think the quest for eternal youth has finally gone too far. But volcanic ash—yes, like actual ash, from an actual volcano—has been popping up in our creams, masks, and cleansers for a bit, and for good reason. While the name may be off-putting and raise questions about how it's sourced, volcanic ash boasts a bevy of skin benefits. Think of volcanic ash as the marginally-gentler-but-equally-effective cousin to clay and mud.

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Antioxidant.

MAIN BENEFITS: Clarifying, antibacterial, reduces oxidation.

WHO SHOULD USE IT: In general, people with acneic, oily skin.

HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE IT?: Try not to use it more than once every few days, as it can be drying.

WORKS WELL WITH: Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

DOESN'T WORK WITH: Not recommended for use with other exfoliants, as it can be stripping.

What is Volcanic Ash?

According to National Geographic, in simplest terms, "Volcanic ash is a mixture of rock, mineral, and glass particles expelled from a volcano during a volcanic eruption."1 According to Hayag, "Volcanic ash is a combination of sulphur and bentonite clay." As opposed to lava or volcanic rock, however, volcanic ash isn't something that flows from volcanoes. Instead, it's expelled across large distances along with water and gas. Volcanic ash has actually created plenty of problems for people over the years—from killing crops to delaying and canceling flights.

However, its unique structure makes it a fantastic ingredient for skincare.

Volcanic ash particles are tiny, porous, and absorbent. This works very well for cleaning up liquids; in the beauty market, this means they may be particularly great for clearing off the stubborn oil and sebum that sit on your face during the day.

Benefits of Volcanic Ash for Skin

• Soothes the skin: Hayag lauds its anti-inflammatory properties, saying that it "has been known for many years to help soothe inflamed skin in eczema and psoriasis." 

• Deeply cleans the skin: Volcanic ash particles are helpful in clearing up any less-than-natural things that may be residing on your face, like pollution and extra makeup.

• Soaks up oil: Because of those tiny particles, it soaks up all the bad stuff on your skin like a sponge. According to King, volcanic ash "works like clay, to soak up sebum, making it especially helpful for those with oily, acne-prone skin."

• Has antibacterial properties: Sonya Dakar, celebrity esthetician and founder and CEO of Sonya Dakar Skincare and Skin Clinic, echoes King. "Volcanic ash is extremely rich in minerals and has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

• Treats acne and breakouts: As Dakar notes, volcanic ash "works really well to not only clear blemishes but heal the inflamed, irritated skin." Basically, if your skin feels polluted—for whatever reason—volcanic ash is a pretty good ingredient to turn to.

• Fast absorbing: Unlike some skincare products, volcanic ash products quickly absorb into the skin, meaning you lose less product.

• Non-irritating: For the most part, volcanic ash is non-irritating and safe for use with all skin types.

• Available over-the-counter: Unlike some super skincare ingredients, volcanic ash products are available in most beauty and drugstores.

Side Effects of Volcanic Ash

Volcanic ash will likely have the same major side effect as pretty much any volcanic or mud-based product: it's drying. As in, if it's not mixed with the right ingredients, it can cause some seriously intense facial irritation. Skin isn't meant to be totally oil-free—that's why oil cleansers exist and some people with oily skin actually find it helps when they add more oil instead of trying to dry it off. Try to ensure the volcanic ash-based product you're using has a lot of hydrating ingredients to balance it out.

How to Use It

"Volcanic ash has antioxidant and antibacterial properties," Mudgil reiterates. However, he suggests a way to use them: "These are best used as a mask, to help give the skin some 'pop.'" Because of its drying properties, volcanic ash isn't an ingredient you necessarily want to leave on your face for an extended period of time, unless your skin is extremely oily. However, it makes for a fantastic treatment. "I can say that my skin always looks radiant after a sulphur spring mud bath in St. Lucia," quips Hayag.