Yesterday, I came across the ever popular Bentonite Clay in my local health food store and could not resist the urge to purchase. I have heard amazing things about this clay and was super excited to try it out so last night I gave it a twirl.

Bentonite clay mask helps draw excess oil and dirt from the skin surface and also unclogs the pores. The benefits include removal of dead skin cells and increase in blood circulation. It also tightens the skin, hence, it’s a perfect solution for loose and wrinkled skin. This material also has healing, ant-inflammatory, and anti-infection properties. One of the benefits also includes reduction of blemishes. In fact, bentonite clay is used in various industrial protective creams, anti-irritant lotions for healing eczema, mud packs, baby powder, etc. Additional information on Bentonite Clay is listed at the end of this post.

Things to remember when using Bentonite Clay

Do not use metal utensils. Keep to glass or plastic
Apply a toner after rinsing off mask
Finish by applying a moisturizer to restore moisture to your skin
Bentonite clay mask should only be used once per week

Black Zulu Bentonite Clay Mask

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 Tbsp raw organic apple cider vinegar
1 Tsp Vitamin E oil
5 drops Tea tree Oil

Process

Mix together in a bowl and apply to face and neck. Let dry 30 – 45 minutes and rinse with warm water.

I could feel my face tingling and the mask tightening. It was quite lovely. This will definitely be a part of my weekly regimen!

Here are other ways to make your mask for specific benefits:

Bentonite Clay Mask – Original Recipe

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part apple cider vinegar (raw, organic is best)

Mix together in a bowl and apply to face and/or body and allow to dry up to 45 minutes. Rinse well with warm water only.

Antioxidant Mask

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part brewed green tea
500 mg. of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (open up a capsule)

Mix together in a bowl and apply to skin and allow to dry up to 45 minutes. Rinse well with warm water only.

*Green Tea is currently being studied for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and cancer killing properties.

Honey Mask

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part apple cider vinegar (raw, organic is best)
1 Tbsp raw honey

Mix together in a bowl and apply to skin and allow to dry up to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water only.

This mask is similar to a mask used by Cleopatra in her beauty ritual.

Sensitive Skin

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part distilled water
1 Tsp Kukui Nut oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix together in a bowl and apply to skin and allow to dry up to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. On fair skin people, the face might turn slightly pink.

Clay Scrub

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part apple cider vinegar (raw, organic)
2 Tbsp uncooked oatmeal

Mix together clay with apple cider vinegar. Add uncooked oatmeal to mixture (you may need to add a little more vinegar or water). Apply to skin and let dry 10-15 minutes. Rub off face using circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.

Relaxing Mask

2 parts Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part apple cider vinegar (raw, organic)
1 part distilled water
5 – 10 drops of your fav aromatherapy, relaxation or calming blended oil mix

Mix equal parts of Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay with air equal mixture of apple cider vinegar and distilled water (example: 2 tbsp clay, with 1 tbsp vinegar and tbsp water). Add 5 t0 10 drops of your favorite aromatherapy, relaxation or calming blended oil to the mixture. Apply to face, allow to dry while relaxing in the tub for 10 minutes or more, rinse well with warm water.

Problem Skin Mask

1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
1 part apple cider vinegar (raw, organic)
5 drops tea tree oil

Mix Clay with apple cider vinegar and tea tree Oil. Apply to skin and allow to dry 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and apply Tea Tree Oil directly to blemish.

NOTE: For bad acne or bad complexion, the first few applications will make it worse as it is drawing out toxins and poisons. Don’t be discouraged; keep using the clay mask.

Source: http://www.herbalhut.com/article-12_great_recipes_for_aztec_secret_indian_healing_bentonite_clay.aspx

Here’s the dirty on Bentonite Clay according to the Mountain Rose Herbs website:

What is Bentonite Clay?

Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering “pure white” is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining.

Bentonite clay is composed of aged volcanic ash. The name comes from the largest known deposit of Bentonite Clay located in Fort Benton, Wyoming.

What Does it do?

Bentonite Clay is a unique clay due to its ability to produce an “electrical charge” when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.

As Mountain Rose Herbs explains:

Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.

Bentonite clay carries a strong negative charge which bonds to the positive charge in many toxins. When it comes in contact with a toxin, chemical, or heavy metal, the clay will absorb the toxin and release it’s minerals for the body to use. Bentonite also helps get oxygen to cells as it pulls excess hydrogen and allows the cells to replace it with oxygen instead.

Bentonite clay is a common ingredient in detox and cleansing products. It has an alkalizing effect on the body and when taken correctly, it can help balance gut bacteria.