What are the skincare benefits of minerals and clays?

Some of the best natural skincare tricks come from Mother Earth herself. Dive in as we explore the benefits of natural minerals like salt, clay, and even mud. Find out what a mineral is and why they can be great for you skin.

Salts and Minerals

What exactly counts as a mineral? Let’s start by throwing it all the way back to biology class. A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition. But what does that all mean? First, minerals have never been alive or dead. They are not made up of plants or animals, and they are not created by humans. Minerals also tend to have a crystalline form made from geological processes. For instance, a diamond is a mineral made from pure carbon.

Why are minerals good for you? Setting aside our aesthetic draw to minerals like diamonds and gold, a mineral like halite (aka rock salt) is essential for animal and human health. This vital mineral is one of our body’s main sources of sodium, which we need for nerve and muscle function.

Sea salt from the evaporation of seawater also contains traces of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium. Taking a bath with sea salts is a great way to relax, help to relieve aching muscle and stimulate circulation. A sea salt bath is also great for your skin. It can help to soften dry skin, and calm symptoms of skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

We love using the Lothantique Le Comptoir bath salts infused with organic aloe vera for an extra soothing bath. Or try the Dead Sea Land Salt Crystals with natural salts from a region rich in concentrated minerals. In fact, the Dead Sea is the saltiest and deepest lake in the world. The unique solar ultraviolet radiation found in the Dead Sea makes these bath salts particularly useful to stimulate the regeneration of skin by treating inflammation. Simple and effective, you can’t go wrong with a relaxing sea salt bath.

Clay and Mud

What is clay? Clay is the result of weathering and erosion of rocks containing feldspar (known as the ‘mother of clay'). The feldspar reacts with water to create clay minerals like kaolinites and smectites.

Clay has been used in building materials, pottery, treating ailments and skincare throughout human history. There is evidence that Neanderthals used different kinds of muds to soothe skin irritations and cure wounds. In ancient Rome, Aristotle referenced the practice of eating clay for therapeutic and religious purposes. Marco Polo also noted a similar practice in his travels witnessing Muslim pilgrims.

While we might not eat clay outside of the mud pie days of our childhoods, it does remain a very popular element in skincare regimes today. Clays range in colour from red to pink and even green. They work to draw impurities from the skin and leave you feeling refreshed. In particular, bentonite clay from volcanic ash is a popular detoxifier due to its chemical makeup. It has negatively charged molecules that when mixed with water can pull toxins from your skin to reduce the appearance of pores and help improve blood flow for brighter (and softer) skin.

The Dead Sea Land Mineral Mud and Aloe Vera is made from black mineral mud from the erosion of the mountains into the sea thousands of years ago. You can spread it over your entire body to remove impurities to lift away dead skins cells and help to rejuvenate your skin. Or check out the Dead Sea Land Purifying Mud Mask to help absorb oils, reduce the appearance of pores and help with skin irritation or acne. Not only does it use mineral rich black mud, but it also contains avocado oil, carrot oil and Vitamin E to help soothe and cleanse your face.

So don't be afraid to get a little messy with mud - your skin will thank you. Enjoy a natural skincare regime from Mother Nature to help rejuvenate and purify your skin.

What are some of your favourite natural skincare tips? Let us know in the comments below.