The application of clay masks on the skin is as old as the hills but has never become outdated. Clay masks make our skin look clearer, brighter and feeling smoother. Inflamed blemishes calm down instantly and we often feel overall refreshed and pampered.

Clay is soil from the earth, which is composed of organic matter and minerals. The clay powder we can buy in shops is simply dried soil. Have you ever wondered why clay, yet so simple, gives such profound results? In this article, we will discover answers to this question. Let's dive in.

Benefits

1. Detoxifies Tissues.

The property of clay to detoxify tissues is based on the ability to absorb and adsorb particles.

Absorption is a term known by most of us and describes the process of internalising matter. Like a tissue that absorbs water. When clay is wet, it builds a porous structure like a sponge that is able to internalise and lock in particles. Half of an ounce of bentonite clay has a surface area of 800 square metres [1]. That is a really effective sponge.

Adsorption is the process that describes the electrical attraction of positively and negatively charged ions [2]. Clay is negatively charged and therefore has a great capacity to attract positively charged ions such as toxins, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals as well as certain radioactive particles (alpha particles are negatively charged).

This means, if you apply clay on your skin or drink it, it will attract those positively charged particles and absorbs them. When you wash away the clay application or release the ingested clay in the toilet, you eliminated those toxins.

2. Helps with Hydration and Optimises Nutrition.

The clay's negative charge brings another advantage: the ability to hold positively charged mineral cations. That means clay is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium and manganese, which helps skin hydration. Minerals in your skin cells are crucial for optimum hydration. Without sufficient minerals within your cells, there is no optimum water intake from your blood vessels. And when you drink the clay, it helps you to supplement with essential minerals. But note, the amounts of minerals are not big and a drink of clay will not cover your daily intake alone. With 10 mg of clay, you will have about 5-6 mg of calcium and 1,5 - 2 grams of magnesium [2]. The recommended daily dose of calcium is about 500 mg daily and magnesium about 310 - 320 mg for adult women [3][4].

3. Connects You to Mother Earth - "Earthing".

Humans are designed to be in nature and to physically touch the ground with their bare skin. When the free electrons of the earth's surfaces are flowing through our skin into our bodies, we synchronise with the natural frequency of the earth and that is when we feel our best. Have you ever noticed that you feel so much better after a swim in the ocean or lake or after a walk in the bush or forest?

Earthing has plenty of benefits. It reduces pain and stress, improves sleep and mood, lessens the primary indicators of osteoporosis, improves thyroid function, glucose regulation, and immune response as well as improves appearance [5].

In a study from 2014, earthing has been shown to increase blood circulation in the face [6]. Better blood circulation means better oxygen and nutrient supply for radiant skin and improved skin tissue repair. A natural facelift from mother earth with no negative side effects.

4. Improves Skin Texture.

Clay also has a mechanical exfoliating effect due to the fine granular particles. I recommend dampening the clay mask before washing it off and massage for a minute in circular motions.

5. Helps to Reduce Inflamed Skin and Absorbs Excess Oil.

The detoxifying and earthing benefits mentioned in point 1. and 2. have significant and instant effects on acute inflammation of the skin and absorbs excess oil in the pores. The result is calmer skin, a mattified look and reduced pore size.

6. Eliminates Heavy Metals from the Body.

Based on the adsorption properties of the negatively charged clay to positively charged metal ions mentioned in Benefit 1., clay can help you to detoxify from heavy metals, such as lead and mercury.

How to Use Clay

1. Apply on Your Skin.

The amount of clay you need depends on the area you want to cover. For the face, I use about 10 grams (1 tablespoon) with a little bit of water or herb infusion. Just use a tiny amount of water first and increase if necessary. It is easier to add water than thicken a too liquid pate. Apply with your hands or brush. I prefer a thick layer. If the layer is too thin it will dry faster. I recommend letting the effects of the clay work for 5 - 20 minutes. If the clay starts to dry, you can keep it moist by spraying spring water, hydrosol or toner (good quality, organic). You can use any type of clay for skin application, depending on your skin type and you can even mix different types of clay together.

Extra tip: Apply clay on your armpits to accelerate the detox process from deodorants. It helps the many lymph knots you have in the area to rid toxins as well. Especially meaningful for the health of our breast tissue.

2. Bath.

For a full bath, use one cup to 10 pounds of bentonite or green clay in warm water. 10 pounds is the maximum dosage used to do metal chelation. Build up slowly and gradually. Immerse your whole body in the water from the neck down. The effects can be intense and make you feel drowsy, especially if the body's toxic build-up is high. You can stay in for 15 - 30 minutes. Listen to your body and get out if you feel dizzy or unwell. For therapeutical purposes, it is recommended to have 2 - 3 baths weekly for 3 weeks [7]. Let the water run for a while to prevent the pipes from clogging up.

Tip: If you do not have a bathtub, clay footbaths also have great effects.

3. Ingest.

Please make sure you buy high-quality clay that has not been treated with pesticides. First of all, you do not want to ingest toxins, secondly, you won't have the benefit of mineral absorption, as pesticides strip clays of those minerals [8]. Please do not drink too much clay as it can also absorb liquids and too much can lead to constipation. Stick to a heaped tablespoon of water (the ratio is 1 part clay and 8 parts water). I recommend doing it 3 days on, 4 days off. Between your meals is best with at least 30 min time before a meal.

Which Clay Is the Best?

There are different clays available from all over the world. Which of them is best for you depends on your skin type and goals. I will focus on the most common clays and the ones available in the United States and Australia.

The colour of clay indicates the mineral content and if the clay is in an oxidised state or reduced state (reduced is the opposite of oxidised).

Reddish clay contains iron and is in an oxidised state. Greenish-blue clay is in a reduced state and has a higher sulphide content. Grey and white clay have no iron but a higher calcium content.

White clay

• for dry and sensitive skin
• rich in calcium 
• mild 
• soothing
• cooling

Yellow clay

• cleansing
• good for acne
• rich in iron, low oxidation
• exfoliating
• increases blood circulation

Green clay

• detoxifying 
• good for acne and oily skin
• contains iron and manganese, low oxidation
• coarser granules
• anti-inflammatory

Pink clay

• for sensitive skin
• cleansing
• kaolin and iron 

Bentonite/grey clay

• for oily skin
• strongly detoxifying
• from volcanic ash

Please message me if you have questions at [email protected]. Inspirations, comments and feedback are welcome.

Blessings,

Janett xxx

References

1. factsheet22.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 30 ] Available from: http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/factsheets/factsheet22.pdf

2. 4-Cation-Exchange-Capacity_FINAL.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 29 ] Available from: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1270524/4-Cation-Exchange-Capacity_FINAL.pdf

3. Office of Dietary Supplements - Magnesium [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 30 ] Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-healthProfessional/

4. How much calcium do you really need? [Internet]. Harvard Health 2015; [cited 2022 Jan 30 ] Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-calcium-do-you-really-need

5. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2012; 2012e291541.

6. Chevalier G. Grounding the Human Body Improves Facial Blood Flow Regulation: Results of a Randomized, Placebo Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications 2014; 4(5): 293–308.

7. Barth J, Bruckner BH. Evaluation of clays as binding agents for reduction of radionuclides in milk. Binding properties of clays with cesium-134 in artificial rumen and in simulated abomasal and intestinal fluids, and uptake of cesium-134 by rumen microflora. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1969; 17(6): 1344–1346.

8. PUBLISHING C. Australian Soils and Landscapes [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 30 ] Available from: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/3821