Recently, I was thinking about what my most used items are in my bathroom (yes, I was KonMari-ing again … I am obsessed!). And I realized that there is one ingredient or natural beauty item that I use almost every day. It’s Bentonite clay! Which is something I probably never even heard of until maybe three years ago or so. If it’s new to you, I highly recommend picking some up (easily found on Amazon or even Target or Walmart) and I’ll share what I use it for most often.
The clay comes as a powder, just FYI. You can use it on its own or mix with other ingredients to make homemade beauty supplies. So first up, here is the number one thing I use Bentonite clay for.
Dry shampoo! I have pretty thin, fine hair and since I only wash my hair an average of two to three times a week, there are plenty of days where it’s fairly greasy looking. Dry shampoo is a total game changer if you ask me and it’s something I use ALL the time.
I use this homemade dry shampoo recipe and store in a glass jar with a lid. I use a large makeup brush to apply before combing or rubbing it in with my fingers. It’s super simple, all clean ingredients, and smells a little like chocolate because of the cocoa. 🙂
I will also mix up a face mask from Bentonite clay at least a couple times a month (although I could probably stand to do it a little more often). I simply mix in a small glass bowl with apple cider vinegar until I get a thick, mud mask consistency. No measurements needed! Then apply to your face and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes until it feels dry and tight. Rinse off and apply your favorite face oil. I like to do this before a shower, so I can wash the mask off in the shower. I’ve clogged my bathroom sink a couple times due to too much clay masks. Ha. So a shower is better, but it’s up to you.
And the third way I use Bentonite clay is to mix 2-3 heaping spoonfuls into a warm bath. This makes for a relaxing skin detox for your whole body. Mix in a few drops of an essential oil before adding to your bath if you want to add a little aromatherapy too.
What about you? Do you use Bentonite clay for anything? xo. Emma
23 Comments
I’ve never tried bentonite clay before, but it sounds so useful! Thanks for the post!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Never even heard of this stuff. How cool! I need to give the face mask a try. I’m all about those!
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
I make the clay and acv mask and use it on my armpits. That lets me use natural deodorant without smelling halfway through the day.
Oh I’ll have to try that! Now that’s it’s warming up here in the Midwest my natural deodorant isn’t cutting it like it does in the winter. 🙂
Y’all should use Native if you haven’t yet. Best natural deodorant ever and it has probiotics in it. They happily give you coupons all the time.
I have a diy deodorant recipe i really like, it’s super effective! Just coconut oil, cornstarch, sodium bicarbonate and essential oils (palmarosa/peppermint or lavender/peppermint). No odour at all even after a workout.
I wanted to ask what’s the differences between all clays, and can we use a different kind for those ideas? Could be a useful blogpost maybe? Thanks!
Does that last option leave an absolute mess in the tub? I’m interested but avoid additions to bath because I hate cleaning afterward!
I’ve put this clay in a bath before, and cleanup wasn’t a big deal. Just wiped the tub down with a cleaning wipe and then rinsed. However! I absentmindedly leaned back and got my hair wet with the clay water. It severely texturized my hair and I basically had dreadlocks for days. Shampoo and conditioner didn’t really help, but rinsing my hair with diluted apple cider vinegar finally did the trick. So…..use a shower cap.
Not really. It’s similar to a bath bomb. Usually I just have to the tub a little.
I never thought to do anything but the face mask with it! As a brunette, I appreciate that dry shampoo recipe. Most of the ones I’ve tried are white and can end up being really obvious if you’re not careful. White powder on dark hair…
Totally. This one is still lighter than my hair (as you can see in the photo) so you still need to comb / rub it in after applying. But I like that it’s darker than a bright white powder.
I’ve never used this clay, but now I’m so intrigued! I’d love to try this face mask x
Shannon | https://shannonmichelle1.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great ideas on how to use bentonite clay. I’ll absolutely try the mask. 🙂
I use my bentonite clay to create homemade deodorant – and i love it. 🙂
What else do you put in the deodorant? And how do you apply it? I’m interested!
Last night I was wearing my clay mask and googling this exact thing, trying to figure out more uses for this magical product. Thank you!!
Has any here tried this on their armpits? I’m curious to try this next. It apparently can help clear bacteria and need for deodorant if done often enough.
I have used this on my face for about 3 years now, but have never used it those other ways. They are all such great ideas. Thanks for sharing!!
-Kate
https://daysofkate.com/
Bentonite can be amazing for lots of things! I like using it in bath bombs.
Unfortunately, it broke me out really badly every time I tried to use it on my face 🙁 Just a reminder if you want to do a DIY face mask you should patch test first!
Great tip! Always a good idea with new products or new to you ingredients. You never know, especially if you have sensitive skin.
I love using it as a face mask, but I need to do about half ACV and half water. I used just ACV once and I looked like an extra on Chernobyl lol
I have used bentonite with acv as a face mask. I like the pulsing feeling as it dries and you know that the impurities are detoxing from your skin. Also as an armpit detox (when I remember) as well as in the bath with Epsom salt mostly when not feeling well. I also put it in my DIY cream deodorant. Will try the dry shampoo. That will be a first for me
If you mix a little bentonite clay with water and a few drops of peppermint essential oil, it makes an excellent soother for summer ailments like poison ivy or bug bites. We keep a batch in a small mason jar in our fridge – where it will last for a couple of weeks! Also, it’s a handy thing to bring hiking or camping!
I’ve only used bentonite to make seed bombs (something every guerrilla gardener needs, ha!) I didn’t know you could use it in the bathroom too, thanks!
I never knew that bentonite clay could be used as dry shampoo! Cool!