Bentonite is a versatile and natural ingredient that has gained popularity in the skin care industry, and for good reason. Derived from volcanic ash, this clay offers a wide array of advantages for your skin. In this article, we will delve into what bentonite is, explore its role in skin care, discuss its benefits, and learn how to incorporate it into your skin care routine.
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What is Bentonite?
Bentonite is a type of clay formed from volcanic ash, known for its exceptional absorbent and adsorbent properties, proving its worth for centuries. These properties mean that bentonite is especially suited for drawing out contaminants and binding to them. Bentonite is also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which can be helpful for medicinal and skin care purposes.
Importantly, there are two primary types of bentonite clay: sodium bentonite and calcium bentonite. Sodium bentonite swells when it comes into contact with water, which increases its volume by up to a factor of eight and is often used in industrial applications, such as sealing ponds and landfills. Calcium bentonite, on the other hand, does not expand to the same degree and is sometimes preferred for skin care due to its higher calcium content and gentler nature.
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What Does Bentonite Do for Skin?
Bentonite clay is used in skin care for its ability to draw impurities and excess oil from the skin's surface, acting as a natural purifier. This is possible since the clay innately possesses an overall negative charge due to the sodium and calcium ions present.1 Itβs this property that attracts positively charged toxins and particles, thereby making it an effective detoxifying agent. The cation-ion interactions between toxins and the clay particles lend to its antibacterial activity and provide essential minerals to the body.Β 2 Thus when applied topically, bentonite clay can help unclog pores, reduce acne breakouts, and soothe irritation, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.3
Benefits of Bentonite for Skin
With a general understanding of the chemistry and biology behind bentoniteβs interactions with your skin, itβs important to also know the specific benefits that it can bring. By applying bentonite to the skin regularly you can expect it to fill these roles:
- Deep Cleansing: Bentonite clay's absorbent properties make it an excellent choice for deep cleansing. It helps remove dirt, toxins, and excess oil from the skin, promoting a clearer complexion.1
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Exfoliation:Β The fine texture of bentonite clay particles acts as a mild exfoliant, gently sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting a smoother, more radiant skin texture .3
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Balancing Oil Production:Β For individuals with oily skin, bentoniteΒ clay can help regulate natural oil or sebum production. By regulating this sebum, bentonite reduces shine and helps prevent clogged pores .1
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Calming Inflammation: Bentonite clay has natural soothing properties that can calm skin. 4 This can reduce irritation caused by other skin health products, making it beneficial for sensitive skin types.Β
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Mineral Infusion: An important part of a healthy, glowing complexion is a rich mineral supply, which bentonite delivers deep into the skin. 5 Its rich clay mineral content nourishes skin, providing a strong foundation for further improvements to the health of your skin.
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Tightening and Toning: As a small-grained clay, bentonite tightens as it dries, pulling on the skin and providing a temporary toning effect. This toning effect may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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How to Incorporate Bentonite into Your Skincare Routine
There are several ways in which bentonite clay can be incorporated into a skincare routine, from helping to cleanse your face at the end of the day to targeting stubborn breakouts.
- Face Masks: One of the most popular ways to use bentonite clay is by creating DIY face masks. First begin by mixing the bentonite clay with water or any inert liquid, like apple cider vinegar or rosewater, to form a thick paste. Then apply the bentonite clay mask to your face, and let dry for 15-20 minutes, rinsing off with warm water. This can be done once or twice a week.
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Spot Treatment:Β For acne prone skin,Βapply a small amount of bentonite slurry or paste directly to blemishes and leave it on overnight. It can then be washed off in the morning as part of your normal routine. Due to bentoniteβs medicinal properties, this can help speed up the healing process .1
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Cleansing Scrub: Incorporate bentonite clay into your regular skin care routine by adding a pinch of it to your facial cleanser. Then, gently massage it onto your skin to enhance cleansing and exfoliation.Β
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Body Masks: Thereβs no need to limit bentonite clay to just your face! Bentonite is great for creating a body clay mask to detoxify and exfoliate your skin from head to toe.
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How OneSkin Uses Bentonite
OneSkinβs topical skin care products, OS-01 peptide facial moisturizer and peptide body lotion, incorporate bentonite clay into the formulation to harness its numerous benefits. In addition to bentonite, OS-01 FACE is powered by OneSkinβs proprietary OS-01 peptide to rejuvenate the skin, promote a youthful complexion, and strengthen the skin barrier. Bentonite clay in OS-01 FACE acts as a key ingredient for detoxifying and purifying the skin, helping to reduce the signs of aging and improve overall skin health.Β
Key Takeaways:
- Calcium bentonite is preferred to sodium bentonite in skin care applications.
- The negative charge of bentonite attracts positively charged toxins and particles, making it an effective detoxifying agent.
- Bentonite clay's absorbent properties make it an excellent choice for deep cleansing and its fine texture acts as a mild exfoliant.
- Bentonite clay has natural soothing properties that can calm irritated and damaged skin.
- Bentonite clay can help regulate natural oil production.
- Bentonite delivers essential minerals deep into the skin.
