Discover volcanic mud, or black clay and its benefits

The volcanic mud, also called black clay, is rich in silicon and aluminum, withdrawing from great depths. It is used for health or aesthetic treatments. It is being applied to the skin to treat rheumatism and sinusitis, among others.

Its composition includes titanium and large percentages of silicon and aluminum, forming an excellent rejuvenator. It is stimulating, antiseptic, anti-toxic, reducing and astringent. Because it is very oxygenating and reactive, it is especially effective if added to beauty treatment masks for the face and body of mature skin. It combats sagging and hairline—expression and wrinkles due to its ability to improve peripheral blood circulation, favouring cell renewal.

Masks with this clay are unique in cases of eczema and skin fungus, in addition to treatments for acne, blackheads, pimples, accumulation of fat, and oily skin. It is also one of the best methods to lighten skin blemishes. Groin and underarm stains, usually caused by waxing, can be eliminated with them.

Black clay has large concentrations of green, white and red clays, which gives it excellent absorption capacity and temperature change, making it revitalizing, analgesic, catalyst and deodorant; the masks are mainly used to cleanse, tone the skin and eliminate toxins. They are efficient in attenuating stretch marks and treating cellulite and localized fat.

What is volcanic mud or black clay?

According to the dermatofunctional physiotherapist Joyce Brito, black clay, like all other colours, is a material resulting from millions of years of decomposition of sedimentary rocks. Therefore, they are considered earthy and fine-grained materials due to years of erosion.

Black clay comprises several minerals, the most abundant being hydrated aluminum silicates, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, sodium and sulphur, highlights Brito. Furthermore, it is typical for this type of clay to come mixed with organic materials and water.

Due to its vibrant composition in materials that benefit the skin, volcanic mud or black mud is considered a type of noble clay. For this reason, Brito informs that it is the most difficult to be found pure on the market.

The different types of clay are also considered the oldest cosmetics used by humanity. The Egyptians also widely used it for medicinal purposes or food preservation. In ancient Greece, the material was applied to the skin to treat rheumatism and even malaria, or malaria, both in humans and animals.

Another contributing factor to the rarity of black clay is that it is found and extracted only from great depths. This is also one of the reasons why it is considered one of the best aesthetic treatments.

Benefits for the skin

Joyce Brito highlights several benefits that can be obtained by treating with volcanic mud. Among the main ones are the anti-inflammatory, anti-stressing, rejuvenating and stimulating actions. As such, it helps to improve the quality of the skin.

In addition, black clay can also be used by people who suffer from acne and oil problems, as it helps to keep the skin clean for longer. At the same time, it has moisturizing effects that help not to dry out the skin.

Other benefits of black clay are related to the material’s healing, antiseptic and astringent actions; it also acts by activating blood circulation. When used in mud therapy (baths with hot mud), black earth also has anti-arthritic capabilities and helps to reduce bodily pain.

Is black mud effective in the treatment of stretch marks?

Yes, black clay is an excellent treatment for stretch marks. However, according to Brito, it is more effective when the lesions are in their red phase, called the inflammatory phase. According to the specialist, this is due to the anti-inflammatory and healing effects present in the clay.

When stretch marks are in their white phase, the clay treatment has a remineralizing action and helps improve skin quality, however, without affecting the appearance of stretch marks. Some studies indicate that volcanic mud can also provide satisfactory results in cellulite treatment.

What is the best clay for skin blemishes?

The most common use of clays is to treat skin problems. One of the most common and feared by people are spots, which can be caused by exposure to the sun, pimple marks or even the action of hormones.

According to Joyce Brito, white clay is the most suitable clay colour for those suffering from this problem. This is because the material of this colour has calm, healing, moisturizing and lightening properties. In addition, it is the most suitable for people with more sensitive skin due to its calming action.

White clay has silicon oxide in its composition. This material stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to give greater firmness to the skin and smooth wrinkles and expression lines.

Can black clay be used on hair?

Yes, clay therapy treatment is indicated for several scalp problems. First of all, it is necessary to know that clay acts as a natural peeling when applied to the scalp. Thus, it helps remove dead cells, absorbing toxins released by the body and activating circulation to the scalp.

However, you must know that each clay colour is best suited for a specific function. Thus, black clay is more suitable for treating problems that cause hair loss, as with alopecia areata, an inflammatory disease that causes hair loss and body hair.

This type of treatment works by clearing the scalp and stimulating blood circulation. So that conventional treatments can act with greater ease. Furthermore, the sulphur and anti-inflammatory components in this clay colour work directly on the hairline root and the area affected by inflammation. She was acting then to reduce the fall.

How to apply black clay

Black clay has a greasy-looking texture, mainly due to the organic materials in its composition. Therefore, the preparation of the mask must be done with care, as it dilutes more quickly than other types of clay. The preparation and application of the show is as follows:

• Separate the amount of clay to be used in a container, in the proportion of a (tablespoon) of mud to a (tablespoon) of water (mineral or filtered), mixing until it becomes a creamy paste.
• Before applying it, the skin must be clean and not need to exfoliate since clay has this function. The eye and mouth area should be avoided when passing on the face. Leave the mask on for 40 minutes or until it is scorched.

Note: Sometimes, after the first application, there may be a particular burning sensation on the skin, but it is normal; it is a reaction to essential oils.

After removing the clay, apply a moisturizing cream. The treatment can be for both the skin on the face and the body. The dermatofunctional physiotherapist Joyce Brito recommends the application of the clay mask two to three times a week or according to the needs of each type of skin.

Are there any contraindications?

The vast majority of people can use black clay, highlights Brito. Contraindications, however, are for those allergic to materials that make up this type of clay.

In addition, the clay mask should not be applied to damaged skin or has any apparent inflammation since it can sometimes aggravate the problem.