http://www.care2.com/greenliving/clay-facials.html
Get Stuck in the Mud with Clay Facials
By Beverly Hlavka, from Wise Woman Herbal Ezine
Why not give yourself a clay facial at home? Clay absorbs up to 200 times its weight in water. When clay is made into a paste and put on the face it not only pulls out impurities but it also moisturizes.
Clays make the perfect base for a facial and can be used on their own merit, but why not make them special with unique liquids, fragrance or herbs for even more natural elements for the face? Try using aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar or floral waters mixed with the clay. Herbs and essential oils when added to the clay create a scented mask of luxury.
A basic recipe includes 2-3 oz. of clay with 1-2 oz. of powdered herbs added. Some herbs to try with the clay are finely ground chamomile, marigold, calendula petals and peppermint leaves, lavender and marshmallow root. Ground Comfrey root, ginger root and slippery elm bark are good for dry skin. Rose petal powder adds some fragrance and citrus peel powder is good for astringency. Neem powder has an anti-bacterial quality for acne and oatmeal or milk powders soothe the skin.
Full body masks of clay are quite popular in spas and should be applied approximately one inch thick or less over the body parts, avoiding sensitive areas like the eyes and mouth. It will take at least an hour to dry so this is a perfect time to listen to music, or do meditation. Add aromatherapy to the experience by diffusing lavender, sandalwood, and orange into the air. Shower off the mask when dry (the clay will not harm drains).
Click here for more on different kinds of clays and clay masks.
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14 comments
add your comment »Love the excellent recommendations of the selection of herbs and their uses. As a spa tech I recommend that if you have a Dollar General in your area to purchase the basting brush set, they are plastic bristles, but easy to clean, last a long time and they are gentle. As for clogging of the pores, powdered herbs along with Bentonite, Fullers or especially Kaolin Clay are very refined, come from the earth and due to the mixture being applied wet to allow to dry, this is not an issue or a problem. However, It is important to remove with warm water or hot wash cloth to open pores, then follow with a cool rinse or damp cloth to close the pores back.
Keep in mind that you are removing toxins, enviromental impurities, exfoliating dead skin and reconditioning the skin as well as balancing the PH, thus yeilding luster and subtliness back to the skin.
Also, it's important that if you are making with a water or milk base to follow with a light moisturizer on the skin. If you use oil or lotion as a base to make the mask into a paste, then a light moisturizer is not neccessary. Happy sloughing!
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Love the excellent recommendations of the selection of herbs and their uses. As a spa tech I recommend that if you have a Dollar General in your area to purchase the basting brush set, they are plastic bristles, but easy to clean, last a long time and they are gentle. As for clogging of the pores, powdered herbs along with Bentonite, Fullers or especially Kaolin Clay are very refined, come from the earth and due to the mixture being applied wet to allow to dry, this is not an issue or a problem. However, It is important to remove with warm water or hot wash cloth to open pores, then follow with a cool rinse or damp cloth to close the pores back.
Keep in mind that you are removing toxins, enviromental impurities, exfoliating dead skin and reconditioning the skin as well as balancing the PH, thus yeilding luster and subtliness back to the skin.
Also, it's important that if you are making with a water or milk base to follow with a light moisturizer on the skin. If you use oil or lotion as a base to make the mask into a paste, then a light moisturizer is not neccessary. Happy sloughing!
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Yes - please tell me where you get the clay and what kind of clay it is...
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WHERE DO YOU GET THE CLAY
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I recently tried this recipe for a mask & Wow it was great. The recipe created so much I had to put it in bags & store it in the refrig. so it will stay fresh. It contained dry oats, french green clay, lavender, powdered green kelp and then you remove 1/4 cup, mix a teaspoon of honey & just enough warm water to create a paste. Apply to clean skin, let dry for 10 mins & Wow the after effects are wonderful.
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If you are looking for bentonite clay and other facial products-go to www.mountainroseherbs.com
They sell a wide variety of herbs,spices,oils,clays,skincare,castille soaps,etc................ Angela H.
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an hour to get this mess off? what if the phone rings!?
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You can get bentonite at a health food store.
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Anyone who has worked in the ceramics industry knows that clay can accumulate and clog drains by compacting to the consistency of a brick. In small amounts like a face mask it would be no problem. But a full body mask a half inch thick could put plumbing at risk. I would leave this to Spa service.
Powdered bentonite can be found at ceramic stores. I don't know about Fullers earth.
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Last week I made a French green clay mask for my wife and I. It was so invigorating to say the least. I ordered the clay for a soap project of mine and ended up with alot more than a better shaving soap! Tonight I will try adding some dried lemon peel and maybe some oatmeal powder. I can't wait to feel the results!
Peace~W
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