What is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is a unique clay that results from the weathering of volcanic ash in the presence of water. It is found only in some areas of the world. What makes this clay special is its extreme negative charge. The supercharged negative ions in bentonite clay will be attracted to all the positive ions present in toxins, product build-up and other wastes found in your hair and scalp.
In other words, bentonite clay literally helps suck out the toxins that are weighing your hair down and making it unhealthy!
Signs that You Need a Hair Detox
Here are some signs that your hair really needs to be detoxed:
- Your hair is dry and frizzy
- Your hair does not accept treatments easily
- Your scalp has a noticeable odor
- Increased hair fall and breakage
- Use of too many hair products
- You wash your hair in unfiltered water containing chlorine
- Your hair looks greasy and rough
Sometimes your hair may look just fine, but a regular detox can help your hair get longer, stronger and shinier. Using bentonite clay to detox your hair can help your hair reach its full potential.
Bentonite Clay Hair Detox Recipe
There are many clay mask recipes that you can use to detox your hair. At the very least, just make a thick paste using bentonite clay and water. But over the years, I’ve resorted to using this recipe because it leaves your hair feeling so soft, tangle-free and beautiful! This particular recipe also helps prevent the mask from drying onto your hair if you leave it for too long.
Here’s how to make your bentonite clay hair detox treatment:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of bentonite clay (where to get it)
- ½ cup of apple cider vinegar (where to get it)
- ¼ cup of aloe vera gel (where to get it)
- 2 teaspoons of coconut oil (where to get it)
- 6 drops of rosemary essential oil (where to get it)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil (where to get it)
Directions
- In a glass or plastic bowl (any non-metalic bowl), begin by mixing the liquid ingredients: apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, coconut oil and essential oil.
- Now mix in the bentonite clay, sort of dusting it in while you whisk it with a non-metal spoon.
- Allow the mask to set a bit by leaving it to rest in the bowl for 15 minutes.
- Then stir again. This will help get rid of any lumpy or dry bits. This is the trick to making sure you have smooth and thick clay masks for hair.
- Time for application! Simply apply the mask onto your scalp and along your hair strands. You can use your fingers or a special hair brush for this.
- Wrap your hair with an old towel, or throw on a shower cap.
- Leave the clay hair mask on for about 15 – 30 minutes.
- Now gently wash off using warm water. Use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo if needed. I usually don’t use shampoos and I’ve been using natural hair masks without shampoo for years now. My hair is silky, manageable and looks soft and healthy, always!
Notes:
- How often should you do a bentonite clay hair detox? Please be sure to not over-do the hair detox mask. This will only damage your hair. That being said the frequency of using bentonite clay really depends on your hair. For some once a month is just fine. Others may need a weekly detox. If you have low porosity hair you can do a hair detox more frequently. Use much less often for high porosity hair.
- Avoid metal: Make sure you do not use metal spoons or metal containers when mixing up the hair mask. As bentonite clay is rich in negatively charged ions, the ions in metal objects will react with those in the clay and render it less effective.
- Essential Oils: Feel free to use any type of essential oil in this hair mask. My top 5 essential oils that support hair health include: clary sage, cedarwood, lavender, peppermint and rosemary. These essential oils will help detox your hair and scalp, stimulate hair growth, strengthen the hair follicles and more!
