What exactly is bentonite clay? Quick science facts
Bentonite clay is a clay-based powder extracted from volcanic ash that contains many minerals. It has been found to detoxify and heal the body. One of its more popular uses is in skincare. In particular, it is frequently used to detoxify the skin of oil, dirt and pollutants.
When mixed with water, bentonite clay has a unique ability to produce an electrical charge that binds to surface oils, toxins and impurities. The result is that it magnetically attracts the ions of unwanted substances. All the harmful stuff on your skin gets bound to the clay instead of remaining on your skin! Herein lies the key to its importance.
This is why bentonite clay is a powerful detox tool for the skin.
Top reasons to use a bentonite clay mask
Our skin is exposed to a host of harmful pollutants everyday. While we cannot control our exposure all the time, we can reduce the harmful impacts by using appropriate products and following an appropriate skincare routine. Bentonite clay is nourishing for the skin as it contains other minerals such as copper, iron and potassium.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should add bentonite clay to your skincare routine:
- Deeply cleanses and unclogs pores
Our pores may be periodically clogged due to excess oils or environmental pollutants accumulating on our face. For those of us with acne or oily skin, daily cleansing alone doesn’t cut it. Unlike regular cleansers which clean off the surface oils, bentonite clay has absorptive properties that attracts and sucks out the dirt in our pores, in a way that few skincare products can. Clear pores naturally mean smaller pores and so our skin looks cleaner and healthier too.
- Regulates oily skin
Our skin produces sebum as a protective mechanism. Too much oil production can potentially cause acne and other forms of inflammation. The absorption properties of bentonite clay regulate the amount of oil on our face by absorbing excess sebum. What makes this one of the best options for regulating oils is that bentonite clay doesn’t heavily dry out the skin. It draws our excess oils without stripping it off the surface, which is what most other harsh skincare products do. This promotes a regulated and healthier skin!
- Prevents breakouts
Using bentonite clay twice weekly greatly reduces the occurrence of acne and pimples. Bentonite clay has antibacterial properties that can target and reduce acne-causing bacteria. When pores are clean and oil production is regulated, acne causing bacteria doesn’t have a place to grow. The result is visibly clearer skin.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18070832/
- Removes impurities and toxins from the skin
The absorptive properties of bentonite clay doesn’t just work on oils, it also works on toxins and other pollutants. When bentonite clay is applied to the skin as a paste or a skin mask, the electric charge it produces attracts and absorbs heavy metals as well as environmental toxins and pollutants. These include nano particle size toxins that are invisible to the eye such as lead and mercury. It binds them to the clay and simply gets washed off when we rinse our face, leaving a clearer face.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267678965_Adsorption_properties_of_modified_bentonite_clay
- Reduces inflammation
Inflammation is an under-explored topic that is the culprit of so many skin and health issues. With toxins and impurities removed, the body and skin calms down and the bodily response to fight lessens, reducing inflammation and redness. Skin becomes clearer overall!
Who should use it and how often?
Bentonite clay is highly recommended for acne and oily skin types due to its ability to draw out impurities. Together with a proper and suitable skincare routine, using bentonite clay mask 2 - 3 times a week can effectively reduce inflammation, redness and acne. Using it once a week for combination skin can help to reduce blackheads and clear pores. All other dry and sensitive skin types should avoid it.
Making your own clay mask
- 2 tbsp bentonite clay
- Water, rose water or apple cider vinegar
- Wooden or plastic bowl
- Wooden or plastic spoon
- *Avoid using metal because the bentonite clay can draw out metal ions
- Mix the bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar in the bowl
- Blend one spoonful at a time until you achieve a smooth consistency
- Let it set for a two minutes
- Apply on face for 20 minutes
- Rinse cleanly
Too lazy to make your own?
We recommend Dermalogica’s Sebum Clearing Masque, Plankton Masque or SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque.
Quick tips
When first starting on the routine, use bentonite clay mask about 5 days in a row. During the initial few days, you may see some outbreaks as the clay draws out the toxins and oils from deep within the skin. Subsequently, use twice weekly to regulate oil production and clear blackheads for a cleaner skin.