Bentonite Clay • Skin Care • Face Mask • Aztec Indian Healing • Detox • Toothpaste • Cosmetic Grade • Facial Mask Clay • Acne •

🌿Botanical Name ~ Montmorillonite clay 🌿Overview~If you’re the type of person who slathers activated charcoal on your face, you’ve certainly heard of bentonite clay (also known as calcium bentonite clay). This multipurpose powder—made from volcanic ash that’s been aged in prehistoric sea beds—is an ingredient in everything from beautifying hair and face masks to tonics. 🌿Bentonite clay is formed from ancient volcanic ash that was once exposed to seawater, at which point it absorbed a whole lot of minerals. It’s often sourced from ancient seabeds (that are now dry land), and its name comes from Fort Benton, Montana—the location of the largest known deposit of bentonite clay. It’s also called montmorillonite clay since this type of clay was first discovered in France’s Montmorillon region. ⁉️Uses~ Bentonite clay, is considered by many as a healing clay  and has been widely used. When applied to the skin, it is thought to absorbs toxins and poisons that get trapped in the skin. Bentonite clay is typically used in DIY soap, face masks, scrub, and bath bombs. It creates a beautiful natural color and it helps absorb excess oil from the skin. The clay typically originates from the mountainous Wyoming region and mined directly from the earth. It’s coloring can range from light gray to off-white with little to no odor. It’s filled with minerals and is considered by many to have a shelf life of 4-5 years.  It is important to note that Bentonite clay is not suitable for ingestion.  This is a natural product from the earth that is known to contain lead. 🧪Structure~ Bentonites are generally classified according to their dominant exchangeable interlayer cation, either sodium or calcium, although magnesium may also be present. When sodium predominates, a large amount of water can be absorbed in the interlayer, resulting in the remarkable swelling properties observed with hydrating sodium bentonite. As will be discussed, the presence of sodium facilitates the almost unlimited absorption of oriented layers of water molecules, a phenomenon which does not occur when calcium is predominate. Consequently, calcium bentonites are generally low swelling. ⚠️Cautions~While the consensus on whether or not you should ever consume bentonite clay is still pretty iffy (if you’re at all tempted, always consult with your doctor first), topical use of bentonite clay appears to be quite safe. But, of course, if you experience skin irritation, discontinue use.