Something magical is hidden in plain sight. For thousands of years, people have been maximizing the natural resources from dirt and volcanic ash. That’s right, the natural properties of certain clays hold many rewarding health benefits for you and your skin.
However, don't go digging in your kids' arts and crafts box and start slathering modeling clay on your face. You won’t get the numerous benefits from any arts and crafts clay that you will from bentonite. As a matter of fact, bentonite clay holds incredible restorative power. Not to mention its preservative properties!
Bentonite clay is composited from lush volcanic ash and is loaded with tons of minerals including calcium, sodium, copper, magnesium, potassium, and iron. We’ll get into what each specific mineral and element has to offer as we go over some of the unique benefits, but just know that when you use products containing bentonite clay, you are giving yourself the natural resources your body needs to thrive.
Now that you’ve got some foundational knowledge, let’s dive deep and explore some of the specific bentonite clay benefits below!
1) Detoxify
How'd you do in your high school chemistry class? Because this clay literally seeks positivity! In its natural powdered state, bentonite clay has negatively charged molecules.
If you can remember from your school days, molecules tend to look for other molecules that are oppositely charged to make themselves "complete". Say it with me ... awww!
Bentonite clay is also highly absorptive. So it literally absorbs positively charged minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
And it works both ways: drawing good things in, and bad things out. All it needs is a little water and - sluuurp - the clay bonds and absorbs the chemicals and heavy metals right out of your skin!
Once the clay has pulled all the impurities out of your cells, there's room for fresh oxygen to move in and make your pores nice and healthy.
This is one of the most widely known bentonite clay benefits on the list! And we’re super proud to pack our fizzing bath bombs full of bentonite clay so your whole body can get the detoxification it deserves! Sit back and relax in the tub, and know that at the molecular level your body is rejuvenating and maximizing the benefits of bentonite!
2) Cleanse and Exfoliate
We're the first to admit that it seems redundant to rub dirt on your skin in order to get rid of the dirt that's on your skin ... but trust us: Bentonite Clay is great for cleaning out your pores and exfoliating dead skin cells.
Acne, blackheads, and whiteheads are often the result of your skin producing too much oil within your pores. The clay is able to bind to bacteria and toxins that live within your pores and unclog any impurities that may be causing your breakouts and blemishes.
It also has clarifying effects on the skin, particularly when applied to oily skin. The way it balances out the chemical makeup of toxins and nutrients in your skin keeps your pores open. This contributes to the natural processing of oil and sebum on the surface of your skin. Don’t worry, plenty more about sebum and how bentonite helps keep your pores clean to come!
Because this clay absorbs dirt and oils, your pores will be free to breathe!
3) Zap Those Pores
Not only do the dirt and oils that clog your skin cause irritating pimples, but all that gunk also stretches your pores out!
Keep your pores clean to ensure that they shrink back to normal size. See? There’s another reason to take advantage of the many bentonite clay benefits!
To keep dirt and bacteria from inhabiting your pores and turning them into giant black holes, use bentonite clay to keep your pores clean and allow them to shrink back to their normal size.
4) Heal
Thanks to the plethora of vitamins and minerals found in Bentonite, it is commonly used topically to aid in relief for several issues like:
- Minor Skin Irritations
- Insect Bites or Stings
- Blemishes
- Skin Dryness
- Skin Redness
Basically, bentonite can help alleviate the annoyance of common irritations. Your medicine cabinet should most definitely be stocked with this miracle mud! Because we all know how one irritating bite can derail an entire day. Don’t let it! Purge those toxins with bentonite to stay free from irritation, blemishes, and redness.
5) Glowing Skin
Another fantastic bentonite clay benefit is in its ingredients: a mineral called silica. Silica is mostly known for strengthening connective tissues in our bodies, and one of the things that translates to is the silky, smooth, even feeling of our skin we all strive for! Combined with the exfoliating skills of the clay, the silica mineral should leave your skin feeling silky smooth! There is nothing like feeling your best and knowing you look your best too.
Silica happens to be a strong carrier for oxygen, which makes your skin look supple and hydrated. The way oxygen is carried throughout your body is via blood, so this also means you’ll have rich, even color. But more important than the look of your skin, you will have the nutrients your body needs to be at its best!
6) Minor Skin Discoloration
Applying Bentonite Clay to scars, acne marks, and stretch marks can possibly help lighten some skin discoloration.
So when you bathe in our bath bombs, you can have the peace of mind that your blemishes and stretch marks will get the love and healing they need!
7) Skin Cell Renewal
Uneven skin tone develops over time from elements like sun exposure, skin breakouts, and aging - amongst dozens of other things. Not to mention, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin don't leave much room for newer, younger cells to grow.
To get this bentonite clay benefit, simply add the clay to your daily cleansing rituals to remove dead skin cells and even out your tone and texture, giving your complexion the appearance of balance. Rebalance and rejuvenate the right way!
Fun fact: The largest known source for bentonite clay comes from Fort Benton, Montana. This is where bentonite gets its name. However, the clay was actually discovered in a region in France called Montmorillon where it’s been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Montmorillonite clay and bentonite are synonymous and the only differentiation refers to the regions the clay actually comes from. But both offer the same benefits for your skin!
This volcanic clay has "erupted" in the world of skincare and we can see why! With nourishing minerals, exfoliation properties, and skin-softening revitalization, Bentonite clay is an absolute must-have when it comes to the health and appearance of your precious skin.
With consistent use over time, bentonite clay will facilitate a healthy change in the being state of your skin. What that means is that you’ll have fewer blemishes, less irritation, and a healthy balance of the nutrients your skin needs. We all want to feel our best all the time, bentonite clay as a consistent part of your body care is a delightful step in that direction!
In our a space overrun with exploitative, unnatural products, bentonite clay, which gets its name from the ground that supplies it, is the answer. Natural ingredients with natural healing and restorative powers are the answer to your skincare questions. At Nectar we prioritize this turn back to nature because there is no alternative. Don’t rely on heavy chemicals and abrasives to support your health. Use natural ingredients to maximize your physical and mental wellbeing.
If you're ready to take advantage of all the wonderful bentonite clay benefits, take a look at some popular Bath Bombs from our relaxing Bath Bomb collections! Each of our bath bombs comes brimming with bentonite clay to help detoxify your skin.
And one of the really exciting features of bentonite clay in our products is the smooth, natural feel it has. When applied to the skin, bentonite has a light creamy texture and color. This facilitates the absorption of its natural goodness. But it’s also really special because, unlike some other, darker, denser clays, bentonite won’t stain your skin or your countertops!