We’ve been using bentonite clay in our home for a couple of years now, with homemade toothpaste being the recipe I make most often.
We use it to help us detox too – internally through a detox smoothie and externally via a detox bath.
Most recently though, I’ve been healing acne with bentonite clay.
I’ve struggled with acne for as long as I can remember and wrote extensively about my attempt at healing acne.
I still use that same routine and it’s so great for my skin, but that doesn’t mean my skin doesn’t ever break out.
During certain times of the month, when the seasons change or when I’m under a great deal of stress, my body is at war and my skin is the battlefield.
My weapon of choice: bentonite clay.
I make it a point to wear a bentonite clay face mask every few days as part of my normal daily routine. Most of the time this works well enough to make it through the week or so when my internal battles surface.
But this past summer was a perfect storm.
I was stressed, my hormones were raging and I was sweating like a pig here in Hotlanta. My skin was awful and the normal routine wasn’t cutting it.
Remembering that bentonite clay is known to pull the impurities from the body in two ways – through absorption and adsorption – I upped my dosage and created a new emergency routine. A way to use bentonite clay to heal acne breakouts FAST.
How to Heal Acne with Bentonite Clay
1. Undo any recent changes you’ve made to your routine.
New face soap? New lotion? New scent of your tried-and-true skin toner? What about new laundry detergent?
If you’ve made any changes to your skin routine – including anything that touches your skin (like the soap you use to wash your clothes) – undo those changes.
When my skin was under attack, I remembered that I had recently switched the scent of soap I used. Since that was the only change I had made, I knew that my skin was reacting to the fragrance in the soap.
Go back to whatever you were using before while you get your skin under control. You can return these items for a refund, find another purpose for them or save them to try again later, but for now, put them on the back shelf and stick to the products you know.
As for that offending bar of soap, I took it and designated it as “kids soap” and put it in their bathroom.
2. Keep things simple.
It’s natural to want to reach for acne-healing-this or skin-clearing-that when you’re having a breakout, but it ends up doing more harm than good to your skin.
Instead, you want to keep things simple: wash, exfoliate, moisturize. Repeat morning and night, but also after excess sweating and/or when you no longer need make-up on.
My normal skincare routine for acne includes goat milk soap for cleansing and coconut oil for moisturizing. During a breakout, I switch to plain coconut oil. If coconut oil doesn’t agree with your skin, consider sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or argon oil.
3. Apply a bentonite clay mask liberally, and often.
I already mentioned that I incorporate bentonite clay in my normal skin routine (here’s the brand I use), but when I’m in the midst of a breakout, I use a mask at least twice a day, sometimes even three times!
Typically I’ll cover my entire face with a bentonite clay mask at night. I apply a medium layer and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.
In order to prevent my skin from over-drying, I apply a slightly thinner layer on just the problem areas at other times of the day. Usually this happens in the morning before I shower, and again late afternoon.
Depending on your schedule, you might use bentonite clay after work or whenever you wash off your make-up, or during nap time or during a lunch break.
How to Make a Bentonite Clay Mask:
Combine ½ tablespoon of bentonite clay with enough water to form a paste that resembles mud. You can do this in your hand or in a bowl, and you can add more water if you prefer a slightly thinner texture.
If you make too much, store the extra mud it in a glass jar for the next time. In fact, you can make a slightly larger batch of this the first time so that it’s ready to go for the next several days.
I use Redmond Clay’s bentonite clay every time I make a mask, but if you prefer to buy it ready to go, they offer facial mud. It’s the same bentonite clay and water, but it’s mixed for you and in an easy-to-use tube that is much easier to pack and share with other members of the family.
Here’s how I know bentonite clay works: I went to my hair dresser while my skin was in the midst of battle and as she was washing my hair, I was telling her about how I quit using over the counter acne medicines because they didn’t work. I explained that I was using a natural soap and bentonite clay instead.
She said, “You’re having a BAD skin week? Are you sure? Your skin looks great! Whatever you’re doing, keep it up!!”
I attribute my skin to bentonite clay. Thanks to these simple steps, when my skin flares up, it takes just 2 days for it to heal. Compare that to what would normally take a full week!
Do you love bentonite clay as much as I do? What’s your favorite way to use it?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Redmond Clay. Obviously, I love Redmond Clay and have been using their products in my home long before this blog was born. As always, I would never recommend anything on Crumbs that I wouldn’t recommend to a close friend or neighbor, and all opinions here are my own. If you have reservations about their labeling, check out the information here.
Bentonite clay + ACV has really improved my skins texture and tightened my pores. I use it every other day. I mix with a little Apple cigar vinegar and water. I find that using all ACV burns my skin. But using a smaller amount and adding water still gives me that tingling clean feeling without the stingy burning. My skin type is oily combo and I’ve been having breakouts around my cheeks and forehead and let me tell you in 1 week my breakouts are fully resolved. My routine is I wash with a gentle cleanser then tone with witch hazel then apply the clay mask then tone again with witch hazel. The absolute perfect combo for my oily acne prone sensitive skin.
Yay, so delighted to hear this!!
Drinking lemon water with ACV, some sea salt, liquid minerals made my decades of scars go away in a few days! (of course, you need to keep it up) Drinking it first thing in the morning before you do anything else and a good 16 oz to 32 oz really made my fine lines (ie; cracks) and wrinkles ( ie; dents) in my face go away from the inside out!!!! Drink with a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterward and then brush your teeth. I did not and by the fourth day my teeth were so sensitive I went to the dentist… Uggghhh
Must give credit where it is do; Wardee Harmon of Traditional Cooking School shares this and a friend after doing this for a couple weeks looked so young and line free, I asked what she was doing and she told me about this info from Wardee! Sure enjoy “Don’t waste the crumbs” Reminds me of Jesus and the Syrophonecian woman!!!!!! Mae
PS Acne scars that I had for years plus fine lines and wrinkles (ha) all went away in a few days! And lemon is great for your over health! Felt I didn’t make that clear enough first time!
This is a long shot but can you give more details on the lemon juice and acv protocol? How much of each? How much salt? What are liquid minerals? How much are needed? Thanks!
Does it good to use bentonite every night??
It’s not a good or bad thing Kent, but listen to your skin. You might need to take a day or two off for your skin to actually improve.
Hi Tiffany,
So thankful to you for sharing your “magic potions” with us.
1 question: does it work for skin tags (mostly around neck and upper chest and some little red moles?
Maybe I should fill up the bathtub and submerge myself -up to the neck :-)) (just kidding)
Again thank you
Hi Daisy! Unfortunately, I don’t think it will, but it’s always worth a shot! I’ve also heard of tying dental floss around it and tightening it a little bit each day for a week. Maybe try that route too? Keep us updated!
Hi Tiffany,
I used Braggs Apple cider vinegar on a skin tag on my face and it fell off in 5 days.
Every night, i soaked a cotton ball in ACV and placed it over the tag for 30 minutes. I did not rinse until morning.
Way to go Cyn!
I am not noticing any improvement to my acne. The biggest hiccups are using the soap 3 times a day (by the time I take care of my errands and get home from work washes 2 and 3 would only be about 2 hours apart), exfoliating twice daily (no matter how gentle I rip open at least 1 pimple and I’m using a microfiber baby washcloth) and the mask (i don’t have time during the week to even use it once per day let alone three times). Is there something you’d suggest to supplement that is less time consuming? I switched to your method after trying proactiv md with adapelene gel that made my acne go from moderate to severe. Now I’m simply maintaining the same level of severe acne.
Perhaps you’re washing too often Nina? If you’re washing with soap morning and night, GENTLY exfoliating daily and using the clay once a day (or as your schedule allows), you should see improvement. Also consider that your skin is your largest organ. Diet plays a HUGE role in your skin. I don’t know what your eating habits are, but have you considered that your diet could be playing a role as well?
Im wondering what you use to exfoliate? Im trying to find something natural and non irritating and Im having trouble. Any advice?
I use a washcloth 🙂
Isn’t it going to dry your skin out using it that often? And I’ve recently bought some clay and scared to use it as read it breaks people out with more acne.have you used it internally? And what are your thoughts on kefir goat soap an African black soap and rose water to tone after? Do you use a toner after? Many thanks
Using it every few days doesn’t dry out my skin, but you can always use it less. Yes, I have used it internally with success, but not for acne. The best results for acne is to use it topically. I’ve never tried African black soap or rose water or kefir goat soap, so I can’t offer any suggestions. I don’t use a toner. I hope that helps!
I love using bentonite for my face and hair. I mix the clay with water, apple cider vinegar, and/or coconut oil depending on what I need for that day. For my hair, I comb in the clay mixture then create a clay helmet with any extra. I leave on until dry, usually 30-45 mins, then rinse with warm water. Leaves my hair shiny and soft. Even my husband, who normally has questionable hygiene practices, uses bentonite in his hair. He swims, so the chlorine damages his hair, but the clay really helps to reverse that damage. Also, i too use coconut oil/clay mix when i have acne. It seems counterintuitive, but it’s fighting fire with fire. Plus, the vit E helps prevent/reduce scarring.
I’ve never tried using clay in my hair Michelle – thanks for the tip!
How do you avoid the clay clogging the sink drain?
Coconut oil is oily, but it contains anti-bacterial compounds, so that makes sense. Thanks for sharing what works for you! Seeking solutions for my teen’s acne! I’m assuming you wipe it off and toss the mixture in the trash instead of washing it down the drain and clogging it up with oil and clay.
Beware coconut oil is HIGHLY comedogenic. Not a good choice or anyone who suffers with acne!
Kayla – I think it’s best for each person to give it a test for themselves. I have acne prone skin, but can use coconut oil without a problem.
That’s not necessarily true. Coconut oil is good for persons with dry skin. Persons with oily skin though, should stay away from it.
That’s not entirely true either Dreen – everyone should try coconut oil for themselves to see if it works. I have oily skin and love it, but a friend who has oily skin finds that it dries out her skin!
Hi Tiffany. I don’t break out that often these days, only when I’m under a lot of stress. However, I’m currently suffering from terrible acne scars on my cheeks from past breakouts. Does bentonite clay help with the lightening of acne scars, if not totally removing it?
My acne scars aren’t as noticeable as they were when I was younger, but it’s hard what the cause is since I’ve made lots of small changes over the years. I’m sorry I’m not more help on this one!
Hi! Would this heal long term really bad acne? My son has had this issue over 5 years. Years ago the dr. wanted to put him on doxycycline for it but I didn’t like the side affects and it caused many issues with my daughter when she was on it for a different issue.
Bentonite clay certainly won’t hurt Holly. I struggled with acne for YEARS, and wish I had found this much, much sooner.
Hi Tiffany,
I haven’t use bentonite clay yet to heal my acne but will definitely give it a try. I’ll be making a lot and share it with friends, we can enjoy doing the application together 🙂 . Thank you for sharing an informative post.
I live in Hawaii so its hot, can I put it in the fridge? Thank,you
Hi Ladybug – there’s no need to put clay in the fridge because it won’t melt. Room temperature is fine with a lid!
If you make a large batch where do you store it?
I keep mine in a small 4 oz glass jar.
What natural soap do you use?
I use goat milk soap from Bend Soap Company: dontwastethecrumbs.com/go/bendsoap
Hi Tiffany, are you and your lovely family planning to do another No Spend or Pantry Challenge this year? Also, how are you guys settling into your new situation in Georgia?
Hi Floyd! We haven’t talked about that yet, but we just might. We’re in the midst of making a big purchase and holding a pantry challenge at minimum would be a smart thing to do. As for Georgia, so far so good! We’re getting to know neighbors and the community and haven’t melted. 🙂 I call it a win!