Bentonite Clay Hair Mask | Hair care and tips

We might have the answer to all your hair woes, and the best part is, it might already be in your beauty supply stash. You’ve probably heard of the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask (and if you haven’t, welcome to the internet!). It’s one of Amazon’s best-selling beauty products and a holy grail in the skincare community.

The cult favorite has amassed thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon and Youtube, and even celebrities, like Khloe Kardashian and Mindy Kaling, have touted its incredible benefits. But did you know that this skin saver can also be used in your hair?

This DIY Hair Clay Mask Gained Popularity After TikTok User @curlsbykeish posted a video using the clay mask to bring her curls back to life. The video racked up over 18 million views and inspired tons of TikTok users to try the clay mask in their hair. The star of the hair mask is bentonite clay, a mineral-rich clay that will cleanse, strengthen and define your curls in just one step. Below, we give you this scoop on this multi-tasking hair mask.

What is bentonite clay?

Bentonite clay is a natural clay formed from volcanic ash. It has been used to purge impurities from the hair, skin and body for hundreds of years. The versatile clay has been used to detoxify the skin, heal infections or acne, and even treat stomach issues. Today, it’s formulated into many skin care and cosmetic products and you can find it in products like shampoo, acne treatments, and even toothpaste.

Bentonite clay is special from other clays because it contains negatively charged molecules. Most toxins in the hair, skin, and body have positively charged molecules. When activated with water or apple cider vinegar, the clay produces an ionic charge that attracts and removes toxins from your hair, skin and body. It also contains natural minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron.

Fun fact: Bentonite clay gets its name from Fort Benton, Wyoming, where there are large deposits of it. But, it is found all over the world. It is also called Montmorillonite clay, named after a region of France that has a lot of it.

Benefits of Using Bentonite Clay Hair Mask

Bentonite clay has tons of amazing hair benefits, from enhanced shine to curl-defining effects. Here are some of the advantages of the “mane”:

• Removes impurities from your hair and scalp. When activated with water or apple cider vinegar the clay has a negative charge that attracts positively charged toxins like product buildup to give your hair a deep clean. Essentially, the hair clay acts like a vacuum for your hair follicles for the five to 20 minutes it’s on.

• Promotes hair growth. Bentonite clay is packed with minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium that are essential for hair growth. Using this hair mask weekly will fortify your hair with these essential minerals and prevent breakage. If you are looking to immediately add length to your hair, add a few hair extensions. They come in different styles and colors to replicate your natural hair. Your extensions deserve as much love as your natural hair, so keep them tangle-free with the Luxy Loop Brush.

• Eliminates dandruff. If you suffer from dandruff, apply the mask to your scalp to absorb excess oil and kill fungi and bacteria that cause dandruff. Deep cleansing will remove dead skin and toxins so healthy hair can grow. It’s the perfect way to maintain a healthy scalp.

• Improves shine. If you use a lot of dry shampoo or heavy products in your hair routine, it can create a film on your locks that gives your hair a gray tone. If you don’t clean buildup from your hair, it can hinder your hair’s natural ability to shine. Removing buildup will also allow your hair to better absorb your products.

• Softens and revitalizes the hair. The minerals in bentonite clay will soften and condition your hair, that means less tangles, more manageable hair and less breakage! It is ideal for heat-damaged or color-treated hair.

• Defines loops. Curly girls swear by bentonite clay for their curls because it helps clump and define them. Use the hair clay before a wash and leave and you’ll be amazed at how bouncy your curls are.

Benefits for natural hair

Bentonite clay is a favorite in the natural and curly hair community because it has moisturizing, conditioning, and clarifying properties and can remove buildup. It makes a great addition to a curly hair regimen. Natural hair tends to be dry, so it needs lots of thick, moisturizing products that can leave a film on the hair and weigh down delicate strands. Using hair clay will clarify your hair, which will make your other products work better and help with curl clumping and shine. It is particularly useful to clarify your hair and scalp before or after a protective hairstyle.

Natural hair is very delicate and can break easily. Bentonite hair clay contains sodium, potassium and calcium, which are essential minerals for hair growth. When applied to your scalp, it can also slough off dead skin cells and cleanse follicles, which promotes healthy hair growth.

Benefits for low porosity hair

If you have low porosity hair, bentonite clay will be your new best friend. Low porosity hair has an excess of positively charged ions which can make your hair dull, frizzy and hard to absorb products. Bentonite clay contains negatively charged ions and when applied to hair can neutralize positively charged ions. The result is shiny, frizz-free hair.

How to Make a Bentonite Clay Hair Mask

Now that you know the benefits of bentonite clay, it’s time to add this hair mask to your hair care routine. The main ingredient of this DIY is the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask, which you can buy on Amazon or at most health food stores. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients:

• Non-metallic bowl, measuring cup, mixing utensils (using metal can activate the clay before it reaches your hair, reducing its ability to detoxify your hair)
• ½ cup bentonite clay powder (we recommend using the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask)
• 3-9 tablespoons water (depending on whether you add other liquids)
• 6 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar (optional)
• 3 tablespoons of your favorite hair oilssuch as coconut, castor, jojoba or argan oil (optional)

Directions:

Step 1:

To make the bentonite clay hair mask, add ½ cup of bentonite clay powder to a non-metallic bowl.

2nd step:

Next, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water: three parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. This step is super important because apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can irritate your scalp if left undiluted. apple cider vinegar has tons of amazing hair benefits, it treats scalp conditions like dandruff, improves shine and increases moisture retention.

Step 3:

Next, combine the bentonite clay and diluted apple cider vinegar in the bowl and mix until you have a yogurt-like consistency.

Step 4:

The last step is to add your favorite hair oils for additional hair benefits. Some of our favorites are coconut oil, to hydrate hair and lock in moisture, pracaxi oilto strengthen and protect the hair, and grapeseed oil, to stimulate hair growth and soften brittle hair.

How to use it

When your mask is ready, section your hair and saturate each section with the mask. The mask should be applied to damp or wet hair with emphasis on the scalp. Keep a spray bottle handy so you can spray any dry parts of your hair before you can apply the mask. Once your hair is fully covered, you can clip it in or cover it with a plastic cap or heated cap for extra penetration. A hooded dryer or steamer can also be used.

The mask should be left on for at least five and up to 25 minutes to experience the full benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not the type of mask you can leave and run errands with, but it’s perfect for a spa day at home!

After the treatment, you can shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would. It is important that you make sure that all hair clay is removed from your hair before proceeding to the next step. We like to follow up with a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment after the hair clay to give our locks a boost of moisture!

When it comes to how often you use hair clay, we like to apply the same rule of thumb for bentonite clay masks for your hair and skin. You should only use this treatment once a week or whenever you feel your hair and scalp need a deep clean!

Got leftovers? Do not worry! If you’re a little too excited and overdone it, you can always use the extras on your face and detox your pores and curls at the same time. Like anything you apply to your skin, be sure to do a patch test before applying it all over your face.

If you still have leftovers, you can store your bentonite clay in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to a week longer and you risk developing bacteria (yuck!)

Side effects

Bentonite clay hair masks have tons of amazing hair benefits, but they can dry out your hair. That’s why we recommend that you only use this mask once a week, because over-cleansing your hair and scalp could lead to more sebum production.

The final verdict

It’s safe to say we’re absolutely obsessed with this simple yet effective hair clay that cleanses your scalp and strengthens your hair. With most new products, it will take a few uses to really notice a difference in your hair, however, this affordable treatment will leave your hair hydrated, hydrated and frizz-free after the first wash. What more could you ask for?

Have you ever tried bentonite clay hair mask?

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