Mineral-rich green clay from the south of France is an ancient, natural beauty treatment for skin and hair.
Also known as Illite, French green clay is an organic material composed of essential minerals and iron oxides. Decomposed plant material such as kelp and other seaweeds lend its characteristic green color. For centuries, Illite was known as French green clay after the rock quarries in southern France where it was originally found. It was commonly believed that the greener the clay, the higher the quality.
Beauty treatments harness the absorbent properties of French green clay to draw out impurities and toxins from the skin, toning and firming while stimulating circulation. Estheticians apply masks to exfoliate dead skin, tighten pores, and uncover a smoother, fresher complexion. It can also clear skin problems and heal blemishes.
Best for Oily Skin
- Oily skin will meet its match with Regenerating French Green Clay, excellent at absorbing excess sebum and tightening pores.
- Loaded with iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, our ultra-ventilated, superfine green clay contains no irritating silica, quartz, or fillers to detract from its job of purifying skin and leaving it soft and radiant.
Use as a Face Mask
- See the benefits of French green clay at home by dabbing a paste made from Regenerating French Green Clay mixed with equal parts of water onto your face. When mixing, use plastic, glass, or wood utensils and containers. Metal could activate the components of the clay, weakening its effects on your skin.
- If your skin is dry, add a few drops of sweet almond oil to the mixture.
- For oily skin, add several drops of jojoba oil to the mask.
- After 5 to 10 minutes (or as soon as it has dried), gently wash the mask off with lukewarm water and pat face dry. To avoid over-drying skin, don’t leave clay masks on face once they are dry.
- Apply your favorite moisturizer, or go natural with coconut oil for dry and normal skin, or jojoba oil for oily skin.
Marvel at how smooth and fresh your skin feels, with new-baby-softness thanks to your now-improved skin circulation. Your regenerated, purified cells can extract more nutrients from the bloodstream due to improved, faster oxygen delivery that imparts a healthy glow to skin.
Revered for Detox
Regenerating French Green Clay is suitable for occasional use as a detoxifying face mask for non-oily skin types. Oily skin will benefit from a weekly treatment.
What Green Clay Can Do for Hair
- A green clay mask work wonders for cleansing the scalp. Clay’s high absorption rate helps purify the scalp of toxins while it cleans and nourishes the hair. Mix as you would for the face (one part clay to one part water or apple cider vinegar, or one part vinegar diluted with water) and massage into scalp. Use plastic, glass, or wood utensils and containers, not metal which could activate the components of the clay. Remove mask from scalp after 10 minutes by rinsing well with lukewarm water.
- Do not leave on scalp longer than 10 minutes. Clay is a powerful natural product which can strip hair of natural oils if left on too long. Follow with a deep conditioner. Oily and normal hair may need to shampoo before using conditioner if hair feels too heavy after a lukewarm rinse.
- Perfect for oily hair because it eliminates excess sebum build-up and balances the scalp’s sebum levels. Removes product build-up from normal hair. If your hair is dry or porous, you can protect hair with a coat of coconut oil and treat only the scalp with the clay mask.
- Prevents and may eliminate dandruff.
A Multipurpose product
With so many potential uses, Regenerating French Green Clay will become the workhorse living in your bathroom cabinet. If you’ve been thinking of simplifying your beauty rituals, green clay is a great way to start.
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