Rhassoul Clay is not one of the most commonly known cosmetics among beauty product users. But it has made a lot of headway in recent years. It comes from Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.
It’s a natural mineral clay with indefinite storage capacity in its dry state. Users typically will combine it with water to clean skin and hair, but we will get into that more in a moment. For now, let’s examine what is actually in it.
[amazon box=”B004W02N40,B00GWG63OS,B072J6Q91G” template=”table”]
Rhassoul Clay Ingredients
The primary elements of the clay include calcium, magnesium, potassium, and silica. It also has a special molecular architecture that allows it to absorb excess oil and specks of dirt.
We’ll be discussing that more at-length in the next section. Before moving on, let’s take a quick look at the benefits of:
- Calcium: The body requires calcium on multiple levels. It helps build stronger bones, heart, and muscles. From a Rhassoul Clay angle, it also strengthens nerve endings (think hair, skin, and nails).
- Magnesium: Magnesium facilitates calcium absorption, thus making it a nice complement to the above ingredient. It can have beneficial effects on bones, diabetes, the heart, and anxiety as well.
- Potassium: This ingredient is most well-known for its ability to balance sodium effects throughout the body. As such, it helps control blood pressure. But it’s health-and-beauty contribution can be found in its maintenance of acids and bases throughout the body.
- Silica: One of the core building blocks for any skin, hair, or health improvement is collagen. The more of it your body can produce, the better shape these areas will be in. That’s where silica comes into play. Silica is one of the key drivers of collagen creation.
The presence and the richness of these in Rhassoul Clay make it a natural go-to product. But Rhassoul Clay is unique, and in the next section, we’ll be discussing how you can use it to ensure the best effects.
How to Use It
The health-and-beauty publisher AnnMarie recommends mixing the powder and water to form “a smooth, silky paste.” From there, you can apply it to whatever area of the body you’re hoping to enrich and remineralize. That said, there are some specific product concoctions you’ll want to keep in mind.
In this section, we’ll be taking on each one at-length with some recipe recommendations along the way in case you’re a die-hard DIYer intent on doing this at home. Let’s start mixing.
Rhassoul Clay Facial Masks and Scrubs
Facial masks and scrubs are typically used to unclog pores and exfoliate. They involve mixing powder and liquid until a certain consistency is attained. One recipe that we’ve enjoyed over the years is as follows.
Use about a tablespoon of Rhassoul Clay powder to two parts warm water. This makes the application process considerably easier to handle. From there, you might consider adding a couple of drops of argan oil (such as for extremely dry skin).
Consider investing in a mask brush. If unavailable, a wooden spoon should work fine. After thorough mixing, you’ll have a paste with a mud-like consistency to it. You can then apply to the face and neck area.
We wouldn’t leave it for any longer than 10 minutes (perhaps less if you break out easy).
It should be noted that argan oil is just one option. There are other essential oils that may be preferred based on the sensitivity of your skin. Here are a few examples:
- Lavender for so-called “ordinary” skin or for sensitive skin: this essential oil has long been thought of as great for sleep, but it also interacts smoothly with the skin
- Bergamot for oily skin: a spice derived from the fruit of a specific variety of orange tree
- Geranium for dry skin: also used in skin care as a wrinkle reducer
- Sandalwood, also for dry skin: other areas where this may help include in the fight against bacteria that cause acne, as well as sunburn and aging lines. It also boosts exfoliation
- Tea tree for acne: calms swelling, redness, and inflammation, does double-duty as a quality hair care product, said every salon ever
- Frankincense for mature and damaged skin improves elasticity
In the next section, we will be discussing hair mask applications you may want to consider. Considering that hair, nails, and skin are all different forms of skin cells, you’ll enjoy some benefit from all forms of Rhassoul Clay, but results may vary depending on sensitivity, diet, activity levels, and preexisting conditions. Let’s continue!
Hair Mask
Hair masks require a more liberal use of Rhassoul Clay, as in about one-half cup. Coverage areas are much trickier since you’re dealing with the hair and the scalp. And the longer the hair, the more challenging the rub!
Along with the clay ingredient, you’ll need approximately one-half cup of aloe vera juice. To balance pH, consider adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and another two tablespoons of argan oil.
Finish off with about 10-12 drops of your preferred essential oil. We’ll discuss different types of hair in a coming section.
Full Body Mask
By now, you’ve probably gotten the idea. Add powder to water, mix until you get the right consistency, and apply. For the hair and facial masks, we’ve made a special note that you can add essential oils for different sensitivity and textural types.
With a full-body mask, we prefer keeping things simple: just clay, just water. Here’s why. The body’s skin sensitivity is not the same throughout.
We’ve had to pull back on body washes, for example, because, while they’ve done a fantastic job on the upper body and lower legs and feet, they’ve caused breakouts on the thighs and arms.
Getting creative with your Rhassoul Clay full body masks could leave more sensitive regions of the body open to irritation. Keeping it simply reduces the possibility of this occurring.
Homemade Soap
A quick primer on what you will need to make soap. You need quite a few ingredients and a lot of cautiousness when dealing with certain recipes.
Soaps are typically a combination of olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, essential oils, and lye. You can add clays like Rhassoul as well as binding additives such as mango butter.
If you’re comfortable making homemade soap — we’re not — we recommend checking out this Rhassoul Clay-specific recipe at Wellness Mama.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Rhassoul Clay shampoos and conditioners often are sold at a premium by retailers like Amazon and Walmart. If you want to make some of your own, and you’ve got the know-how for it, here’s a recipe that works particularly well.
It’s important to note that natural clay-based shampoos have a slightly higher pH level than what you’ll get from a bottle of shampoo, but they also lack the chemical toxins that can break down the hair over time.
While a Rhassoul Clay shampoo or conditioner might require a little extra rinsing to maintain the hair’s basic pH, it will serve your hair’s health better over the long term.
In the next section, we’ll be digging a little further into this and other issues of importance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhassoul Clay
So far, we’ve tried to get you comfortable with what this particular beauty clay is and why it’s becoming more popular. Now we’ll spend some time answering some of the most common questions that surround it when people get ready to deepen their research into it. Let’s start with a simple one.
Is It Good for Hair?
Hair is skin, and Rhassoul Clay has a superb ability to bring glow and radiance to the skin without adding any toxins. In short, it is great for the hair for the same reason that it is for everywhere else on the body.
It unclogs pores and promotes stronger roots. Stronger roots make for stronger hair.
How Does It Affect Curl Pattern?
The curl of your hair is determined by the content of your hair’s natural oils. If you’re satisfied with curl pattern, Rhassoul Clay does much to maintain that and can actually improve curl definition.
How Effective of a Cleanser Is It?
Rhassoul Clay is great at stripping the hair from toxins like the kind you’ll find in many over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners, which, while serving to coat the hair and maintain the desired consistency, can wear down the hair over time.
This clay’s ability to clean without drying out the hair makes it one of the best natural cleansers on the market.
What About Low Porosity Hair?
People dealing with low porosity hair may be able to clean the hair of oils and toxins, but they also find it difficult to remineralize because absorption capabilities are so low. Rhassoul Clay is considered a good alternative to traditional hair care products for these specific hair types.
That’s because of the aforementioned unique molecular structure, which, when applied, enables the hair to better absorb and take in the calcium, magnesium, potassium, and silica content the clay provides.
What About Using on Color-Treated Hair?
Color-treated hair is a bit trickier because it depends on the dyes that your hair coloring products are using. If it’s more of a henna-based dye, you should be fine using Rhassoul Clay hair care.
For commercial dyes, however, those might strip. This could force you to reapply a bit more often than you would like.
What About Exfoliation?
Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin from the epidermis, or surface of the skin. This is necessary to remove dryness and scaly skin that can leave deposits at various segments of the body, leading to itching, flaking, and embarrassment.
Rhassoul Clay is an effective exfoliator because it is super-absorbent, particularly with specks of dirt and oils.
Is It Good for Dry Skin?
Yes. Dry skin usually occurs from a breakdown of minerals in the skin. The high amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and silica, found in Rhassoul Clay make it a natural deterrent against dry skin as they work to remineralize.
Is It Good for Sensitive Skin?
Its pH levels register lower by comparison to an alternative such as Bentonite Clay, but it still runs higher than many over-the-counter commercial skin and hair care products, so sensitivities may vary.
That is why we recommend limiting mask applications to no more than 10 minutes. And while many can use it on a daily basis in small quantities, it’s important to pay attention to how it specifically affects your skin before making a final determination with regard to frequency.
Is It Good for Oily Skin?
According to the International Dermal Institute, “Clinical studies indicate that between 40 and 55 percent of the adult population age 20-40 are diagnosed with low grade, persistent acne, and oily skin.” And many of the products advertised to help with such conditions actually make the problem persist!
The clay’s ability to absorb at a higher rate than other commercial and natural materials while remineralizing the skin means that it can maintain healthy oil levels throughout.
Rhassoul Clay is seen as one of the ultimate acne deterrents. This is due to its ability to remove sebum blockages in and around hair follicles. Image via Wikipedia Commons, fair use.
Can It Help with Acne?
The ability of Rhassoul Clay to unclog pores makes it a great natural choice for eliminating blackheads and other blockages that lead to swelling and zit formation.
For persistent acne like the kind mentioned under the previous header, a daily application may be necessary. If so, make sure you’re paying close attention to possible skin irritation zones.
It should be noted that Rhassoul isn’t the only clay-based beauty product that fights acne. It’s just one of the most well-rounded for doing that while also radiating the skin and resulting in a healthier-looking glow.
Is Rhassoul Clay Edible or Drinkable?
Think about what clay is for a moment. It’s soil. Dirt. Would you want to eat dirt? Probably not. But what might happen if you did? Well, it depends on the purity of the clay you’re eating.
After all, soils can contain trace-but-still-harmful amounts of lead and bacteria. Any clay consumption — not just Rhassoul — could result in sores, intestinal blocks, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and lead poisoning.
Admittedly, the research is scant either way, so you may want to hold off before putting this in your cupboards. If you’re dead set on trying it, stick with small quantities, preferably diluted.
Rhassoul Clay as a Toothpaste?
The remineralization effects, as well as its ability to kill bacteria, make Rhassoul Clay worth considering as the main ingredient for homemade kinds of toothpaste. Most tooth decay is caused by bacteria. Enamel protects against this. When that breaks down, the mouth is susceptible to attack. By remineralizing, you can essentially turn your mouth into an inhospitable environment for the micro bullies.
That said, you will want to use caution. Ensure the source of the clay is pure, and treat it like adult toothpaste — you know, do not eat it like your 4-year-old does to hers.
Can It Clog Your Drains?
Yes. And unfortunately, it can happen with greater frequency. Just as clay-based hair care products can result in a gummier texture if not properly rinsed out, they can also gum up your drains if you’re not regularly taking action to avoid the problem.
Suggestions: don’t overdo it. Use a small amount. If making at home, don’t use too much clay in the recipe. Stick with the recommendations.
Last but not least, invest in some Zip-Its for when the water and stray hairs eventually do back up your drain. This also keeps your pipes from wearing out due to the use of corrosive chemical cleaners.
How Often Should You Use It?
This will depend on the area you’re applying it to, how sensitive your skin is, and the potency of the mix. If you’re staying at one-part clay to two parts water, then the consistency should be thick enough without being too overbearing.
Under normal formulations, you shouldn’t have any trouble using it daily for short periods of time.
If you observe redness, tenderness, or breaking out of any kind, cease use. Otherwise, have at it!
How Does It Compare Versus…
Rhassoul Clay holds up quite well when stacked against other clay-based beauty products. It certainly has plenty of competition — and worthy competition at that! Let’s take a look at the rankings, shall we?
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite, derived from volcanic ash, is near the top of the list for most popular clay-based beauty products. It contains a rich group of soft minerals known as montmorillonite, also found in Rhassoul Clay.
These minerals sop up sebum and keep pores clean.
It is widely used by over-the-counter acne care product companies. However, its higher acidity level makes it unpalatable for some, and Rhassoul undercuts it in that department making it the better choice for sensitive skin.
Rose Clay
A milder clay, which makes it preferred among many with skin sensitivities. Rose Clay is also referred to as French Pink Illite. It is popular among people as they experience the onset of aging.
However, when it comes to exfoliation, Rose Clay delivers modest results, especially when compared to Rhassoul.
Umbrian Clay
Umbrian is an option for consumers with skin that ranges from normal to oily. Like bentonite, it is a good additive for products that fight acne. It is not quite as effective when dealing with dry skin, however.
Rhassoul is more of an all-around option and a terrific exfoliator — a function not commonly associated with Umbrian.
Cambrian Blue Clay
Cambrian Blue boasts a large number of health benefits. How much of them are true is anyone’s guess, as the search results for it online are largely promotional.
Most of the admittedly small group of naysayers complain of a too-mild smell and a tendency to dry out the skin. That said, most folks with “normal” skin are going to love it. Rhassoul Clay is more uniformly accepted across a variety of skin types.
White Kaolin Clay
White Kaolin, as with its Yellow and Red counterparts — more on them in a moment — is quite good for skin care, but it can be a tad harsh when it comes to the hair. Some also have complained that it’s too expensive and takes too much powder to create a properly consistent mix.
By comparison, Rhassoul Clay is a more well-rounded clay-based beauty product that purifies and strengthens the hair without damaging or drying it out. It also has applications to the skin, and it takes a smaller amount to get the proper consistency.
Yellow Kaolin Clay
Yellow Kaolin has many of the same beneficial properties as White and Red. All can be helpful when dealing with diagnosed skin conditions. However, they also can have a drying-out effect on the skin, meaning their hydration capabilities are quite poor when compared to Rhassoul or Bentonite. That said, they do have more uses that go beyond hair and skin care, such as treatment of mouth sores, recovery after surgery, and blood clotting.
In Closing
The world of clay-based beauty products is a rich one, with several types that overlap in benefits to some degree. But with Rhassoul Clay, you get a powder/mix that is more aligned to address all of the issues you’re likely to face as you age gracefully.
The drawbacks of it are almost nonexistent, so you’ve really got nothing to lose giving it a try. Now it’s your turn. What has your experience been like using clay-based beauty products, and Rhassoul in particular?
We want to hear from you. Sound off in the comments section below.
[amazon box=”B004W02N40,B00GWG63OS,B072J6Q91G” template=”table”]
thanks