Jasmine Welch

Bentonite Clay Face Mask Recipe for Clear Skin Acne and blackheads can seem like they never go away at a certain point. There are a plethora of products and remedies out there to help, but many of them don’t work that well. Especially when it comes to store bought products, they can further cause irritation and dry out your skin. The reality is that harsh chemicals have been normalized to use on a regular basis. In all actuality, it’s best to steer clear of them. If you aren’t sure of what natural remedy you can try out for your problematic skin, don’t feel discouraged. We’re going to introduce you to bentonite clay, as well as a face mask recipe you can use for clearer skin. Even if your skin isn’t causing you problems, this face mask is good to use every once in a while to keep your pores clean. We Come Into Contact with Toxins on a Daily Basis… If you’re like most people, then you’re going to be exposed to an array of toxins every day. Toxins can come from many different things. Common examples of where we encounter these toxins are in paint, house cleaners, tap water, make up, processed foods, and even the air you breathe. Over time, the exposure to these toxins can cause skin to act up, typically signaling an overactive immune system. This is where bentonite clay can come in to help. It has a detoxifying effect on the body. In fact, the clay has been used for several centuries for its wide range of health benefits. What is Bentonite Clay? When you think of clay, you probably think of clay ruins or art projects. That’s not what we’re talking about though. Bentonite clay is a grayish, greenish substance that comes from naturally occurring volcanic ash that has been aged. Most of the clay is located and mined in Fort Benton, Wyoming. Can you tell that’s how it got the name “bentonite clay”? You might have heard of Montmorillonite clay, which is actually the same thing. Like mentioned earlier, bentonite clay is well known for its detoxifying effects on the body, being an ancient protector and healer of diseases. No matter how old you are, there are ways you can benefit from using this clay. Not only does it improve health, but it’s extremely cost-effective. How Does Bentonite Clay Work? The most common way to detoxify your body with bentonite clay is by mixing it with water and drinking it, or just eating it by itself. Bentonite clay inside of your body will then help bring the toxins out of the body, while at the same time providing nutrients. It’s a good source of calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, potassium, silica, and iron. Because bentonite clay has a negative electrical charge, this attracts the toxins in your body (which are typically positively charged) to bind to the clay. Just like it can be used to cleanse the inside of your body, you can do the same for the outside. You skin is the largest organ on your body, as well as the most vulnerable to toxin exposure. With that being said, it would be extremely beneficial to incorporate the use of bentonite clay externally. Using Bentonite Clay on Your Skin There are so many benefits for using bentonite clay on your skin. Let’s take a look at what they are: Promotes the healing and regeneration of skin tissue Draws toxins out of the skin Treats and prevents acne and breakouts Unclogs pores Noticeably shrinks pores after several uses Removes and prevents blackheads Helps fade away scars Naturally exfoliates the skin Makes your skin tone more even Leaves the skin soft Relieves the skin of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis Now that you know how bentonite clay can benefit your skin, it’s no doubt that it can make for a great face mask! Bentonite Clay Face Mask Recipe for Clear Skin Before we go into the face mask, it’s important to point out that there are many different recipes we can make. With so many different variations, let’s start off with the base of your mask: You’re going to need… A small container Something to mix with that is not metal (the clay can react to metal) 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay 1 teaspoon -1 tablespoon of water, or alternatively apple cider vinegar With your clay and liquid in a container, mix it together, and apply it to your face. Allow the mask to dry and keep it on for up to an hour. When you are ready to wash the mask off, the easiest way to do that is with a cloth and warm water. Keep in mind that you need to keep a 1:1 ratio between the clay and liquid. If you like to keep things simple, those two ingredients are all you need. If you are interested in a more intricate face mask, keep on reading for some ideas. Other Ingredients To Use in Your Face Mask Face masks are a lot of fun to experiment with. Switch things up by adding some (or all!) of these ingredients to your recipe. See what works best for your skin and come up with your very own recipe through trial and error. Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal is similar to bentonite clay in the way it helps draw toxins out of your body. It has a crazy large surface area, making it able to adsorb (not absorb) impurities. Here is a list of it’s benefits for the skin: Treats and prevents acne Draws toxins and impurities from the skin Evens out skin tone Fades scars from acne and injury Helps manage oily skin Naturally exfoliates Removes and prevents blackheads If you plan on using activated charcoal in your face mask, use anywhere from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon along with a little extra liquid. Honey We all know that honey is a miracle of nature. Not only does it taste sweet, but is used for many health benefits. The following list are benefits your skin gets from putting honey in your face mask: Honey is naturally moisturizing, which can help counteract the drying effect from activated charcoal (if you decide to use it) Raw honey’s enzymes are effective for clearing out pores It’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal Naturally exfoliating Helps fade scars Treats and prevents acne Good for treating sunburns If you decide to use honey in your face mask, make sure you opt for raw, unfiltered honey. 1/2 teaspoon - 1 teaspoon is the recommended amount according to the base mask formula. Coconut Oil Coconut oil has been popular for a while now, being especially beneficial for the skin. Incorporate this ingredient to gain the following benefits: It’s a natural moisturizer Naturally antifungal and antibacterial Prevents wrinkles Soothes dry and sun-burnt skin Prevents acne Reduce scarring When using coconut oil on your skin, it’s recommended to use unrefined coconut oil. While refined coconut oil has the same benefits, it’s also known to clog pores, which is what we don’t want. Essential Oils Essential oils have been used over several centuries, being beneficial for health and treatment of conditions. Always remember to never use these oils in their pure form. All you ever need is 2-5 drops of essential oil to do the trick. Here is a list of the best essential oils to use for your skin: Lavender: Cleanses skin injuries, can be used for all skin types Geranium: Great for balancing oil production, can be used for all skin types Basil: Soothes insect bites, especially great for sensitive skin Frankincense: Ideal for treating skin that is aged, can help regenerate skin, helps tighten and tone Ylang ylang: Great for treating oily and skin sensitive to breaking out, stimulates regeneration and prevents aging Lemongrass: Effective for treating acne and large pores, tones skin Cypress: Repairs capillary vein damage and shrinks blood vessels Tea tree: One of the most popular essential oils, antifungal and antibacterial, great for acne prone and oily skin Juniper: Helps speed up healing for skin breakages and prevents infections Chamomile: Treats acne, eczema, rosacea, cracked skin, and inflammation Clary sage: Reduces signs of aging, regulates oil production Neroli: Great choice for aging skin that is sensitive, tones and tightens Top off your face mask by using one of these essential oils! They’ll take it to a whole new level. Conclusion Now that you know about the benefits of bentonite clay, as well as many of the other potential ingredients you can use, it’s time to try out your very own face mask! Whether you’re sticking to the basic recipe, or you’re going for your own, the benefits are undeniable. Challenge yourself to use this face mask at least once a week and watch how much your skin will improve.