Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is one of the most underrated ingredients in the beauty world (in our humble opinion). Upon first glance, you may be a bit hesitant to apply something that is essentially the remnants of volcanic ash to your face. But rest assured, it’s not only totally safe for topical application but it has some pretty amazing skincare benefits you won’t want to miss out on. Keep scrolling to find out all there is to know about bentonite clay.
Overview
Yes, it’s true. Bentonite clay comes from volcanoes, which in our opinion, is pretty damn cool. But if you’re still not convinced, then just wait until you hear about all of the incredible properties it contains. Before we delve in, it’s important to note that bentonite clay is a completely natural skincare ingredient. It comes directly from the earth and is found in a number of countries. While the clay is mined in Greece, Australia, India, Russia, and Ukraine, the most significant deposits of it are found in the western United States and in Turkey. If you were to purchase bentonite clay in a health food store, it would look beige and flaky. This is due to the montmorillonite it contains, which produces a flaky texture when exposed to air or water. But enough about its origins and appearance. Let’s move onto the good stuff: how it can give you beautiful, glowing skin!
Benefits
One of our favourite benefits of bentonite clay is its ability to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. If you’re looking for a natural skincare ingredient that will unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells away, look no further.
Bentonite clay absorbs the dirt and oil on the top layer of your skin, which removes any impurities in your pores that may be causing acne. At the same time, it is an abrasive that removes all of the dead or dying skin cells on your skin’s surface. Further, this volcanic ash-derived clay is an emollient. After washing your face with the clay, touch your skin with your hands and you will instantly feel a difference. It is known for its ability to smooth out bumps and remove blackheads.
Lastly, this miracle product contains an array of vitamins and minerals, which is why it is also an anti-inflammatory. Its high content of nutrients allows it to calm and soothe the skin, fighting conditions like skin irritation, redness, blemishes, and even bug bites or stings.
Safety
There are no serious side effects associated with bentonite clay, especially when applied topically. So you should generally be safe to work it into your skincare regimen and enjoy all the benefits it offers. That said, as bentonite clay is a natural product found in the ground, it is possible for it to be contaminated by metals, pesticides, or other substances. This isn’t too serious of a concern, but to be on the safe side make sure to read product labels before use, which will verify its safety.
