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Is Mud Good For Your Skin? Exploring the Benefits of Clay

Couple slathering red clay mud on each other while enjoying Glen Ivy Hot Spring's Club Mud.

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of clay for your skin? From clay baths to clay masks, this natural ingredient has gained popularity in skincare routines due to its various perks for your skin. However, while the trend is ticking upward in the beauty industry, this tried-and-true concept has a long history, dating back thousands of years, proving it is an essential step in any wellness routine. Discover what makes this ingredient withstand time and how your skin can benefit from the power of clay. 

 

Clay Bath Benefits:

Clay baths, like Club Mud, have been used for centuries as a therapeutic practice. Soaking in a clay bath can offer a multitude of benefits for your skin. Here are a few key advantages:

  1. Detoxification: Clay has the ability to draw out impurities and toxins from your skin, leaving it feeling cleansed and refreshed.
  2. Skin Exfoliation: The texture of clay helps gently exfoliate the skin on the body by removing dead cells, unclogging pores and promoting a smoother complexion.
  3. Soothing and Relaxing: Clay baths can provide a soothing and calming effect, helping to relieve stress and promote relaxation.

 

Clay Mask Benefits:

What do clay masks do for your skin? There’s a reason that clay face masks have been used for thousands of years, it is a natural skin care alternative with great results. Here are a few ways clay can address specific skin concerns:

  1. Acne Prevention: Clay is believed to draw out impurities in your skin, like dirt and bacteria, while removing excess oil to help prevent acne. 
  2. Healing Properties: Clay masks are believed to aid in wound healing and provide some relief for certain skin disorders by promoting blood circulation beneath the skin. 
  3. Skin Youthfulness: Clay has natural minerals that are great for your skin. When used regularly, clay masks can assist with the production of collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles and the overall appearance of pores. 

 

Difference Between Types of Clay: 

There are many different types of clay used in the beauty and wellness industry that tackle different skin concerns. Two of the most popular are red clay and bentonite clay, which have different properties that make them unique. Here are a few differences between the two to find out which is right for you:

Red Clay Benefits:

  • Red clay is one of the most pure and rare clays on earth. 
  • It is traditionally used to remove toxins from the body and replace them with healing vitamins and minerals found in the earth, like iron. 
  • It helps to improve blood circulation, promoting a healthy and radiant complexion.
  • Red clay also aids in absorbing excess oil, minimizing the appearance of pores and reducing dry spots.
  • Red clay is most often used in body and hair care. 

Bentonite Clay Benefits:

  • Bentonite clay is produced from volcanic ash when exposed to wind and water.  
  • It is highly purifying, effectively absorbing excess oil (sebum) and helping to unclog pores, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.
  • The natural minerals in bentonite clay can promote a balanced complexion and contribute to healthy-looking skin.
  • It is mostly used in the beauty industry in face masks, creams, lotions and other cosmetics.

 

From clay baths to clay masks, the benefits of clay for your skin are clear. Whether you indulge in a clay bath to detoxify and relax during a spa day or prefer using clay masks at home to address specific skin concerns, this natural ingredient can work wonders for your overall wellness.