White clay, also known as White Kaolin, is a very gentle clay and a powerful ally for anyone who prioritizes a health and aesthetic care routine based on natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. And, in the case of white clay, it is food grade, natural and edible, with no perfumes or additives.
Kaolin clay has natural absorbent properties and can be used as a mask or exfoliant, eliminating impurities from the skin while increasing circulation and rejuvenating the pores. It also has a healing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, cooling, and soothing action that makes it suitable for treating rashes, insect bites, and minor wounds.
Benefits of white clay for face and body
Perfect for all skin types, white clay is particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, to even out and brighten skin tone, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, heal problems such as mild acne and damaged skin(1), or blemishes present on the most sensitive skin.
White kaolin is used in many skin care recipes simply because it is a comfortable, soft clay that absorbs impurities, stimulates skin circulation, and promotes skin elasticity. In addition, it soothes the skin and refines pores.
With a neutral pH, it is also rich in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, and silica, which promotes the formation of collagen(2) and has a mild detoxifying effect, removing impurities without increasing the redness of the skin. White clay is also effective in reducing inflammation, swelling, and fluid retention through applying poultices.
How often can I use white clay on my face and body?
White clay face masks can be used regularly. This clay does not over-removal the natural oils in the skin. Instead, it helps maintain the balance of the hydrolipidic mantle.
Twice a week is recommended for oily and normal skin or combination skin, as long as it is applied on the oily areas or the famous T-Zone. For dry skin, once a week is recommended. If you make a recipe of White clay with organic jojoba oil, you can apply it up to 2 times a week regardless of skin type.
Benefits of white clay for hair and scalp.
The use and benefits of white clay also extend to the hair and scalp. Rich in aluminum, silicates, iron, calcium, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, and cobalt, white kaolin has a strong detoxifying, healing, and anti-inflammatory ability. In addition, it gently exfoliates and stimulates circulation and deep cleansing while helping to balance the scalp's pH, replenish lost nutrients, and promote hair shaft growth.
Unlike other clays, and because it is very gentle, white clay can also be applied along the hair shafts and not only on the scalp, helping to treat porous and damaged hair.
In addition to increasing the strength and elasticity of hair, absorbing toxins in the scalp and hair, and slowing the aging process of hair, white clay helps treat hair and scalp damaged by chemical procedures or weakened by external factors. It is also a powerful and gentle ally for scalps with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis.
How often can I use white clay on my hair?
The application of white clay hair masks is no different from its application on the skin. It can be used regularly, as this clay does not excessively remove the natural oils present in the scalp.
If you have very dry or fragile and brittle hair, doing one clay hair mask a week or every 15 days is advised. The rest of us can do one to two masks a week.
How long should I leave the clay on my skin and hair?
The duration of the clay on the skin can vary depending on the thickness of the layers you apply. So the idea is to prepare the clay until you get a consistent, homogeneous paste, not too watery and not too thick, that starts to dry 10 to 15 minutes after application on the skin, and 10 to 20 minutes on the hair, because clay goes through 3 phases when applied.
- Wet Phase. The first phase, or wet phase, is when the clay performs nourishment and passes its minerals to our skin.
- Cooling and Exfoliation Phase. The second phase, or cooling and exfoliation phase, is when the clay begins to repel the skin a little and starts to dry out, producing the absorption effects, which help remove dead skin cells, and accelerate the renewal process, healing, and even skin tone. At this stage, the clay particles absorb excess sebum and remove impurities from the skin. This is the proper phase to remove the clay.
- Dry Phase. In the third, or dry phase, when the clay becomes completely dry and crumbly, it produces more extreme effects of absorption and exchange of fluids from inside to outside that draw water from the skin and can over-dry or irritate more sensitive skin. Avoid withdrawing at this stage, but if it happens, hydrate the skin well and ingest water throughout the day to rebalance the skin's water levels.
White Clay Mask
- Prepare the clay. Mix 1 tablespoon of white clay with 2-3 tablespoons of water, or use organic jojoba oil, almond oil, aloe vera, lavender, or even milk. Mix well until you get a consistent and homogeneous paste, not too watery and not too thick. For hair, you can add organic cider vinegar instead of water.
- Cleanse the face. To allow the clay to cleanse and nourish your face more thoroughly, cleanse your skin beforehand using a soap, cleansing gel, or your product of choice. For hair, dampen it with warm water.
- Apply the mask. With a soft brush or your fingers, apply the clay mask to the area you wish to treat.
- Leave it on for 10 - 15 minutes. Remove the mask when the clay begins to pull the skin and dry out in its cooling and exfoliation phase. Do not let it dry out completely. On the hair, leave it on for 10 - 20 minutes.
- Remove with water. When the time is up, gently and without rubbing, remove the clay with water at room temperature or cold because warm water can stimulate the oiliness of your skin. In the case of your hair, wash it like usual without touching the hair as you would do with shampoo.
- Moisturize your skin or hair. With a natural organic cream or oil, preferably with jojoba or aloe vera, or with your favorite moisturizer or even a good organic oil suitable for your hair type.
The result? Renewed skin with a radiant appearance, stronger hair, and a healthy scalp!
Sources:
(1) Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne--results of a prospective, observational pilot study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22585103/
(2) Effect of topical clay application on the synthesis of collagen in skin: an experimental study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22340693/