What Is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is a natural healing clay that is mined directly from the earth. Also known as Aztec Indian Healing clay, bentonite clay is an absorbent aluminum phyllosilicate clay. It is formed by the weathering of volcanic ash (how cool is that?!) in the presence of water (2), (3). Bentonite clay is dried in the sun before being sold as a facial or hair mask. Bentonite clay is a pretty cool product to use on your skin as it works wonders in lifting toxins and getting rid of impurities. Tons of women out there have seen an improvement in their oily, acne-prone skin after using a bentonite clay facial mask. So, what about its benefits for hair, you ask? Well, there are quite a few, so let us list them out for you.
What Are The Benefits Of Bentonite Clay For Hair?
There are two main reasons why bentonite clay has a ton of benefits. First, because it is negatively charged (when combined with water or apple cider vinegar). It draws out toxins from the hair, which is positively charged. Second, it contains many minerals that are essential for hair growth like sodium, potassium, and calcium (4). Pretty neat, huh? It comes as no surprise that it is a holy grail product for hair. Here are all how it is beneficial for your hair: Find out more beauty benefits of bentonite clay here.
Bentonite Clay For Natural Hair (Type 4 Kinky Hair)
Anyone with type 4 kinky hair knows that it is thick, coarse, extremely fragile, and always in need of moisturization. A bentonite clay hair mask works like a charm for this hair type. It gently cleanses your scalp while deeply cleansing your hair. It draws out impurities, which allows the hair to absorb and retain moisture better. As a result, you end up with elongated and supremely defined curls. We are sure you are now fully aboard this bentonite clay train. Let’s look at how you can make a hair mask with it!
How To Make A Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
½ cup bentonite clay 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon coconut oil ½ tablespoon castor oil ½ tablespoon almond oil Water Plastic or glass bowl Wooden spoon
How To Apply Bentonite Clay For Hair Growth
Bentonite Clay Hair Wash
If shiny hair is what you desire, that’s exactly what you’ll get with this simple bentonite clay hair wash that takes just 2 minutes to make.
2 tablespoons bentonite clay 1 cup apple cider vinegar ½ cup of water
Yes, bentonite clay is pretty amazing for your hair. But it also comes with its share of precautions that need to be taken to make sure you don’t ruin your hair or your bathroom!
Don’t use a metal bowl or spoon when making your bentonite hair mask. Bentonite clay reacts pretty quickly when it comes in contact with metal, meaning its benefits would be rendered null by the time you apply it to your hair. You will need to wash off the hair mask with warm water before it is completely dry as it can be pretty difficult to remove once it dries up. Run some hot water down the drain after washing off the bentonite hair mask so that it does not clog up your plumbing.
Now that you know everything there is to know about making and applying bentonite clay to your hair, let’s see if it has any side effects.
Side Effects Of Bentonite Clay
Concerns have been raised about the fact that bentonite clay contains aluminum and whether it’s safe to be used on our body. However, there is no need to worry about this as our bodies also contain aluminum and it’s safe to use it on our face, body, and hair. Besides, the high negative charge of bentonite clay makes it impossible to leach into your body through your skin. So, rest easy! Is bentonite clay a deep conditioner? No. Bentonite clay has strong cleansing properties. Although it can cleanse your hair of product build-up and dirt, it can also draw out natural oils from your hair. Your hair may feel dry after using bentonite clay, so you will need a separate deep conditioner to balance its effects. Can you leave bentonite clay on your hair overnight? No. You can let bentonite clay sit on your hair only for 30-45 minutes. Leaving it on for longer can make your hair dry. How does bentonite clay define curls? Bentonite clay defines curls by drawing out product build-up, dirt, and toxins that weigh curly hair down. This also lets the hair absorb more moisture and other products. Does bentonite clay expire? Yes. If the bentonite clay pack is unopened, it may last for 1-2 years. If the pack is opened, it will last for 3-6 months, after which the minerals in the clay will start breaking down, which can irritate your skin and scalp.
