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Bentonite clay is an absorbent fine powdery earth which forms due to the weathering of volcanic ash in seawater. This process turns the volcanic glass present in the ash to clay particles. Bentonite clay has a variety of uses in skin and hair care, such as in clay face masks or hair masks.
Bentonite clay works like a sort of sponge, wicking oil and dirt away from your skin. This gives it powerful cleansing properties, and it is excellent for treating oily or acne-prone skin. It also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help clean your further and help with the healing process. It’s natural absorbent properties make it a favorite for detoxifying your skin and hair, and even to help remove toxins like those caused by poison ivy rashes. Some sunscreens contain bentonite clay to improve their ability to stay on the skin.
There are no serious drawbacks of using bentonite clay topically, as it is an all-natural ingredient. Few people have been shown to have irritation caused by bentonite clay. However, since it is a natural substance, there is a risk of contamination. It may contain traces of heavy elements, pesticides and other substances, which may be unhealthy for your skin and hair. In addition, the FDA has not yet regulated bentonite clay products.
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the pores are producing more oil, or sebum, than necessary. Sebum is natural in all skin as it keeps the skin moist and healthy. Over production of sebum can be caused by hormones, genetics or could even be a result of dry skin over-compensating by producing extra oil, in order to retain some measure of moisture.
Oily skin can also be caused by using the wrong products for your skin type. For example, if you are using overly drying soaps and astringents for your skin type, your skin may respond by over producing oil to compensate, as mentioned above. This can create an unfortunate cycle of using harsh soaps to eliminate oils, but instead exacerbating the problem.
On the other hand, overly oily makeup and products can also cause oily skin.
Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells to keep pores unclogged and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for treating acne as well. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep oily pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil is also good for fighting bacteria trapped in oily skin and maintaining a moisture barrier to prevent over-production of sebum.
Bentonite clay may be effective for oily skin, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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