Clays

 I am really enjoying working with clays.There are a whole host of different clays. Kaolin, rhassoul, french, bentonite, morrocan, just to name a few, and you can blend them with oils, waters, honey and any other skin friendly liquid you can think of. Each is full of trace minerals that is both good for your skin and body. I imagine this is why we were always told that playing in the dirt is good for us! Historically many cultures used clays for their medicinal uses. Ingesting clays was first mentioned by Aristotle (384-322 BC) who had made the reference of eating it for religious and therapeutic reasons. In fact, many indigenous cultures used clays in healing ceremonies for fevers and healing of the skin. The Romans had long used clays for their high mineral content and soothing effect it had on the skin. Thankfully, we haven’t forgotten the importance of clay and we now commonly use them for spa treatments and to help combat oily and acne prone skin. Clays, however, are good for so much more than to help with acne and oily skin. As I mentioned earlier clays are really versatile. You can blend them with each other, add salts, and herbs and, depending on your skin type and area you want to treat, you can mix in floral waters and or oils. This really customizes your product for your individual needs. If you're using a clay mask for your feet and body, and you suffer from dry skin, blending your clay with oils instead of water, is a really great way to gain the benefits of both the moisturising effect of the oils and the minerals in the clays. Before washing it off, you can gently massage it in and it will help gently exfoliate away the dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth as a baby's bottom! A blend of green clay, epsom salts and rosemary powder mixed with coconut and olive oil makes for a scrumptious foot and leg mask and exfoliator! A face mask for normal to dry skin might have kaolin clay, ground rose petals blended with some chamomile water and apricot kernel oil. The blends are truly endless! From soaking up excess oil, to exfoliating, to mineral replacement, clays are a great way to pamper yourself and nourish that beautiful skin you inhabit!