Let’s Get Muddy!!

It’s that time of year again where the wind is harsh, the temperatures are dropping (okay, well not really here in LA but I know for most of us! Not that I’m rubbing it in), and our skin may be more raw and dry.

It’s important to keep your skin nourished from within (think organic makeup brands!), and consume beauty fat in the form of avocados, acai, flaxseeds, coconuts, etc. Just as important is keeping your body from getting clogged, by way of not ingesting clogging foods, which can prevent your tissues from adequately absorbing the nutrients that you are consuming. Please stay away from all dairy- notice how muscusy and drippy it makes you, and imagine what it is doing to the inside of your body. And of course avoid the obvious culprits: refined starches, refined sugars and excessive meat.

One of my favorite beauty practices is clay masks, which is a time-honored ritual utilized worldwide. When I travel around the world, if I happen upon a beautiful pile of mud, especially on beautiful volcanically-formed islands like the Phillipines, Bora Bora and Hawaii (pictured here. Yes I know, I posted pics from that trip last post too. Apparently I miss my hiking expeditions there!), without hesitation- of course if I’m in a place that it is culturally acceptable and where there isn’t anyone around :) – I will strip down to my bathing suit and cover my whole body in mud. Then let myself dry in the sun like a big walrus!

Bentonite clay in particular is known for its healing properties. As a mask, it will pull impurities and toxins from the skin, refining your skin and cleaning out your pores. The result? Your skin will look more radiant, smooth, and over time more clear. But what is great about the bentonite clay masks is that they will not dry out your skin at the same time they are purifying your pores.

A feeling of tightness is common, and leaving them on for half an hour is good. I try to do one mask a week.

There are lots of other good things that can be added to masks. But for a basic bentonite clay mask, if you can get your hands on some bentonite clay, mix 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay with 2 tablespoons of water right in your hands. Spread over the whole face, but be sure to avoid the delicate eye area and around your mouth- don’t eat your mask! (Bentonite clay can be ingested for detoxification purposes, but it is a deeper detox that is not recommended for those just starting out, otherwise toxicity can actually compound in your system). You can add additional clay or water as needed to adjust the thickness.

Remove the mask with lukewarm water after it has dried thoroughly. Pat skin dry. There are commercial ones you can try also. The Jack Black Deep Detox Clay Mask and Spot Treatment is decent, at $25. It is paraben-free and fragrance-free. There’s one I really like that someone in Beverly Hills gave me, but it was in a sample bottle and I am not sure where they sell it. I will try to track it down and will share if I do.

Okay see you back here soon! Have a great day. Maybe have a mud adventure tonight!!

Love, Kimberly