The red clay has properties to regulate blood flow and promote skin oxygenation. It can be used as a mask or poultice for beauty treatments and rehabilitation with physiotherapy, for making soap as a cosmetic cleanser for the face, or as a muscle relaxant. It has many uses when it comes into contact with the skin. It helps improve anti-inflammatory processes and enhances skin tone. So let’s take a look at the benefits it has.
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Properties of Red Clay
Clay has the power to improve circulation. It provides an increase in color after use. It encourages the body to send more blood to areas where you can feel a pleasant warmth.
In physiotherapy, it is widely used to heal chronic injuries and permanent muscle pain. The heat bath effect relaxes but also helps heal certain conditions and damage that are difficult to eliminate with other treatments. Adding it for a few minutes can stimulate and aid recovery. But it has more uses, so let’s detail the properties of red clay:
- For physiotherapy
- To heal chronic muscle and inflammatory injuries.
- Acts as a soothing agent.
- Properties to revitalize dull and lifeless skin.
- As a mask for heat baths.
- Antiseptic and antimicrobial.
- Astringent.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Decongestant.
For pale skin, it works by giving it a better appearance. The color doesn’t matter, whether it’s red, but it activates circulation and encourages the restart of skin functions. It has revitalizing effects that make pale, colorless, and dull skin come alive. It increases blood flow, which brings more oxygen to all the capillaries and veins that nourish the epidermis.
It is also antiseptic and effective against microbes. By applying a red clay mask, you disinfect the treated area. You eliminate impurities and remove all pathogens that could infect the skin.
Its uses are both in health and beauty due to the minerals and active principles it contains.
Composition
The characteristic red color is due to its high content of iron and aluminum, oxides, and hydroxides. Clay is soil or rock composed of various minerals such as iron and magnesium and varies depending on its origin. The color can be lighter or darker depending on its composition, ranging from green, gray, red, or black. There are different types of clay, and within the same red coloration, it can be more or less intense depending on the amount of iron and other types of earth that compose it.
Red Clay Mask
One of the best ways to prepare the homemade mask is using powder. The easiest option is to buy red clay powder to add the amount you need at any given time. This way, you have the advantage of making the exact volume and mixing it with other cosmetics you like.
To prepare the red clay mask, follow these steps:
- Take a plastic bowl and add mineral water.
- Add a handful of clay and stir well. You should notice the mixture thickening. Gradually add more until you reach the necessary consistency. It’s better to start with less and add more if needed to avoid excess.
- Stir well with your hand or a small stick, spoon, or any short-handled kitchen utensil.
- Once it becomes a smooth paste, stop stirring and apply it to your skin.
- Apply it gently, massaging the area to relieve any pain. Be careful to avoid any lumps, as they may scratch and cause small wounds.
- Let it dry for 25 minutes. While it dries, you’ll relax and feel the mild heat it provides. It’s both stimulating and soothing. It works great for muscle stiffness and pain.
- After this time, remove the clay and any residue from your skin with a damp cloth. Be careful not to scrape the skin. Then take a shower to remove all the leftover clay particles.
You have now finished your homemade red clay mask. As you can see, it’s very easy to make and use. It’s uncomplicated, so buying a small bag or sachet is ideal for preparing it yourself. And, of course, if you’re a guy, you can also use it…
Additionally, if you add other ingredients while mixing with water, you can give it a special touch with many skin benefits. For example, you can use it with arnica oil, lavender essence, and other oils that will hydrate and nourish the skin. And, if you’re looking for a stronger soothing effect and want to reduce inflammation, try using it with calendula and sesame oil, which are anti-inflammatory and analgesic, respectively.
Medicinal Uses for the Skin
If you have a pale and dull appearance, it will help improve your color and tone. By activating blood flow, it slightly increases the color, so it works to eliminate white skin. However, it’s important to be aware that everyone has their own skin tone. If yours is very light, it may help, but it will never change it completely.
It also has properties as an anti-inflammatory mask, acts as an astringent for the skin, and decongests circulation thanks to the iron it contains.
For the Face
Since it has antiseptic properties, it can be used on acne-prone areas as it acts as a facial cleanser. It dries and disinfects pimples with pus. However, when acne is severe, it’s best to use a treatment guided by a dermatologist. Don’t experiment with your face as you could have a reaction.
Whether you want to use it to improve the skin or treat pain, the preparation method is the same as we mentioned above. The only difference is that you can add different oils and essences depending on the additional benefits you want to achieve. For example, for the skin, it’s ideal to mix with some pure rosehip oil brands.
Buy Red or Green Clay
This depends a lot on personal preference, as they share many benefits for the skin when used as a mask or applied as a poultice to any part of the body. In general, it can be said that green clay is slightly stronger than the others. So, if you have sensitive skin, try the red clay first, or even go straight to white clay. This is the one that is generally the softest and most caring for the skin, and for people with irritation issues, it’s better to buy this one.
In any case, there may always be exceptions depending on where the clay you buy comes from.
Red Clay Soap
In this form, it works as a facial cleanser for sensitive skin. It has the property of deeply cleansing and leaving the skin soft, free from impurities, and without blackheads.
Red clay soap is very absorbent. When applied to the face, it attracts excess sebum and eliminates blackhead and whitehead heads.
It also adds an extra boost to healing and can improve the appearance of areas with stretch marks when used regularly. So, using it together with rosehip oil will promote the regeneration of scarred skin.
So if you thought red clay was only for modeling, now you know it has many more uses. We encourage you to try it and tell us about the benefits it gives you.
