In today’s society we are exposed to toxins 24/7. They are in the air we breath, the water we drink and bathe in, our food, all of our products, etc. No matter how many precautions we take to avoid them, they are inevitable. There are a lot of things you can do to eliminate toxins and reduce the amount you and your family are exposed to, but you will ultimately still be exposed to some. The good new is that there are many great ways to detox. Some detoxes can be pretty harsh and come with a lot of side effects, and others are much gentler.

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Bentonite clay is an amazing resource for gentle detox. I use it regularly in the form of a mask for my face and arm pits. It is great for acne prone skin and is useful when switching to a natural deodorant to detox the heavy metals found in most deodorant. You can also add it to your bath along with Epsom salts. This is a great way to detox children. There are many more uses that I haven’t personally tried, but others have had great success with. Some people ingest small amounts to help with stomach discomfort, or use it as a paste on bug bites. There are even recipes for remineralizing toothpaste using bentonite clay. (This might just be my next project.)

You’re probably wondering, “So what is bentonite clay and where can I find it?”

Bentonite clay comes from aged volcanic ash. It was first discovered in Fort Benton Montana and that’s how it got it’s name. It absorbs negatively charged toxins which is what makes it so great for detoxes! You can find it on Amazon and in health food stores. You can use my link to order it here. This container will last you a long time!

Bentonite clay has a soft powdery consistency when dry and when mixed with water or apple cider vinegar it will foam up.

Note: DO NOT use any metal or it will decrease the healing properties of the clay. I use this ceramic bowl I thrifted and a wooden spoon from Coconut bowls to mix my mask and then I use this foundation brush to apply it to my face and underarms.

This recipe uses apple cider vinegar. It should be raw, organic and contain the “Mother”, this is the yeast and bacteria that gives the apple cider vinegar its healing properties. Apple cider vinegar helps to regulate the skins ph. It has astringent properties which increase blood flow to the skin and may cause your face to look red for a short time afterwards.

I like to add a variety of essential oils that are beneficial to the skin. There are many to choose from that all have different healing properties. There are many that aid in detox as well. You can mix and match these to fit your needs. You can also leave them out entirely.

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Gather all your ingredients and mix into a thin paste. Apply to your face and/or armpits. I like to mix up 1 batch for my face using a half apple cider vinegar half water mixture with specific skin oils. Then I will create a second paste for my underarms using just apple cider vinegar and different oils. When applying to your face be cautious around your eyes.

Let the paste dry for about 10-15 minutes. It will crack and become flaky. Then gently remove it with a warm wash cloth. Personally, I like to hop in the shower to rinse mine off. I use this mask 1-2 times a month and sometimes even more. (I’ve used this twice this week already. LOL.) If you are switching to a natural deodorant its helpful to do this daily on your armpits for at least two weeks to detox all the heavy metals that clog your pores.

Recipe:

4 tablespoons of bentonite clay
1 tablespoon of water/apple cider vinegar
1-2 drops of each essential oil (optional)

Mix together to create a thin paste and apply a generous layer to your face and/or armpits.
Leave to dry for 10-15 minutes.
Gently rinse with a warm washcloth.

I would love to hear from you. If you give this method a try tag me on Instagram and Facebook! Thanks for stopping by. Make sure to check out my other blog posts and if you like what you see please subscribe to stay up to date!