Calcium Bentonite/Montmorillonite Clay

Echolife's pure alkaline clay is classified as Calcium Bentonite/Montmorillonite. Due to the fact that this clay contains a significant amount of natural sodium, it shares qualities of both sodium bentonite and calcium montmorillonite. It is therefore an 'all purpose clay', and may be used in the following ways:

Clay Body Poultices and Packs:  

Calcium bentonite clay's water retention characteristic allows for super hydration. Therefore a clay poultice will easily remain hydrated for 45 minutes or longer. You will need hydrated clay (Echolife's own or you can hydrate clay powder yourself); apply thickly to any area of the body, leave to almost dry then shower off.

Note: Clay 'Poultices' or 'Packs' are generally applied thickly to any area of the body - approx. 1/4 inch. You may cover with a 'cling wrap' or soft cloth to keep the clay moist for longer.

Clay Face 'Masks':

Apply a light coating of Echolife's Hydrated Clay to the face, avoiding the eye area (you can also hydrate clay powder yourself to achieve your ideal consistency).
Leave on for at least 30 minutes (you may mist-spray with good quality mineral or filtered water to keep moist), then gently remove with warm water and apply your favourite moisturiser as required.

Echolife also sells a moisturising version of its Hydrated Clay, the Clay Mousse, which is ideal for a richer, more luxurious mask.

Clay Body 'Masks':

Apply a light coating of Hydrated Clay, Clay Mousse or Body Mousse to the entire body (you may cover yourself with an old cotton towel or sheet) and leave on for 30-45 minutes. Gently shower off with warm water - do not use soap products to remove, as this will alter the acid/alkaline balance of the skin.

Clay Baths:

Completely pre-hydrate one cup of Calcium Bentonite Clay with 5-6 cups clean, filtered water until it is liquid enough to pour into your warm bath. Swirl to mix. The time spent in the bath can be anywhere between 20-45 minutes. Do not stay in the bath is you feel uncomfortable, particularly do not have the water hotter than you can handle as this may elevate the blood pressure. For more information on clay baths see 'A clean start ... taking a clay bath'.

Always consult your physician or registered health care professional for advice if you are elderly, have a diagnosed medical condition or are pregnant before attempting to take a clay bath.

Clay 'Wraps':

Traditional clay wraps are one of the most cleansing and relaxing spa treatments ever devised for the maintenance of healthy skin. For more detailed information see 'DIY' Clay Wraps, Face Masks and Body Wraps.

These are generally done in a few ways:

• Strips of cotton cloth or bandages of about 4-5 inches wide are saturated with hydrated clay (generally a mixture of l cup clay to approx. 6-8 cups of water, or Echolife's convenient ready-to-use Hydrated Clay). The body is then wrapped from toe to chest and left on for 30-45 minutes. The clay wrap is then removed and discarded. After removing the wrap, shower with warm water to remove - it is not necessary to use soap.
• Another way to do a clay wrap is to cover the parts of the body you wish to treat with a layer of Hydrated Clay, then cover with bandages or cloth. This may be left for 30-45 minutes. Remove and shower or wash off with warm water.
• A light and quick clay 'massage' (see below) is given, then a thin layer of hydrated (1 cup powdered clay to 2½ - 3 cups water) is applied to the body. Wrap the entire body in a cotton cloth or thin sheet for about 30-45 minutes. Remove the wrap and discard. Shower off with warm water - do not use a soap product as this alters the pH of the skin.

Note: a clay 'massage' is done by scooping up handfuls of hydrated clay and gently applying to the whole body. Massage the clay lightly into the skin for approximately 5 minutes. Apply another thin layer of clay and cover. 

Cleansing the face and body with clay:

This is an effective way of cleansing the body and removing make-up without using harsh chemicals that may alter the delicate pH of the skin. Mix a small amount of warm water to a scoop of Hydrated Clay and apply to face or body - rub gently using circular movements (avoid eye area). Rinse off immediately with warm water and pat dry. Apply your favourite moisturiser.  You might prefer to use the moisturising version of the Hydrated Clay, the Clay Mousse, which is available for the face here, for the body here, and in the handy Echolife Trial Face Pack we have just released (which will cover all your cleansing, moisturising and make-up removal needs with 3 simple products).
 

You may purchase the Hydrated Clay or Clay powder and mix yourself. Mixing instructions come with our Calcium Bentonite Clay powder and can also be found here.

Echolife Australia takes no responsibility for you using Calcium Bentonite Clay in any other way than as suggested on this page. We are not able to advise internal use for this clay but recommend that you consult your registered health care professional for advice. We make no therapeutic claims or suggest any therapeutic uses for this product and recommend that you first consult your physician or registered health care professional if you are in ill health, pregnant, elderly or have a diagnosed medical condition.