Skin Care Ingredient: Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay, or montmorillonite clay, is a natural-forming clay that is composed of aged and weathered volcanic ash. It gets its name from the place in which it is commonly found – Fort Benton, Wyoming. Much of the supply is still harvested in Wyoming as well as other parts of the United States, France, and Italy. Bentonite clay has been used as a traditional healing method for centuries. Today it still a popular holistic health therapy used for its many natural benefits. It is full of minerals and nutrients and because it requires no modern processing and is found abundantly, bentonite clay is a wallet-friendly way to benefit the body and skin.

Nutrition of Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay houses an abundance of minerals such as calcium, silica, sodium, copper, and potassium. It also contains zinc, iron, and magnesium that help to make the body more alkaline. Along with these beneficial minerals, it contains probiotics and micronutrients. Bentonite clay could serve as a multivitamin, though it is not a substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables. A teaspoon of food grade bentonite clay can be taken daily to help the body receive its benefits.

Skin Benefits

For more than 100 years, bentonite clay masks have been used to improve the health and appearance of the skin. Face masks made with bentonite clay are used for their anti-inflammatory benefits which help to reduce the swelling associated with acne and other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. As the mask hardens it binds to the bacteria lurking on the surface of the skin and leaves you with healthy, ageless looking skin. Bentonite clay supports anti-aging of the skin. It exfoliates, cleanses, and unclogs pores.

Detox Benefits

Bentonite clay has a strong negative electromagnetic charge that pulls metals and toxins to it, much like a magnet, when activated by water. Heavy minerals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and benzene can be absorbed from your skin and viscera by bentonite clay. Bentonite clay also helps to detox the body of toxins, micro-organisms, parasites, and bacteria.

Benefits for Teeth and Gums

Germs, bacteria, and toxins don’t just hang out on the skin’s surface, they also hide in the mouth. When it comes to harmful toxins and bacteria, the mouth is one of the most susceptible areas they are found. Bentonite clay protects the teeth and gums by binding to the bacteria and toxins inside the mouth. It binds to these harmful and unwanted agents and helps to remove them when you rinse your mouth.

Bentonite Clay Uses

Bentonite clay is found in powder and liquid form and can be used internally and topically. To remove bacteria and toxins from inside your mouth, mix bentonite clay with water for a daily rinse or use a toothpaste with bentonite clay as a natural product ingredient. Bentonite clay can be used topically to provide benefits for the skin. Clay masks, exfoliants, and cleansers can help to remove pollutants on the face and promote skin rejuvenation. Soaking in a bentonite clay bath hydrates and soothes the skin while removing toxins.

Try out the benefits of Bentonite Clay with our Anti-Aging Purifying Clay Mask!