One of the most effective clays available for acne sufferers is Moroccan Red Clay
because it’s hands down the best clay to use for ridding the complexion of blackheads, toning the skin, and re-balancing dry, flaky skin with regular use. I have been using this clay for years and if I had to choose just one clay to have on hand, this would be it.
Moroccan Red Clay (aka Rhassoul Clay or Red Clay) has been used for the last 1400 years as a soap, shampoo, and skin conditioner. Luxuriantly smooth to the touch, its highly absorbent and exfoliating qualities make this clay a must have in top notch professional spas.
Red clay comes from ancient deposits in the fertile Atlas Mountains of Morocco, mined from deposits made by volcanic activity and geothermic changes in the soil.
Its use in history as a cosmetic clay can be traced back to ancient Rome and Egypt where it was used by nobility to tone and enrich the skin.
Moroccan red clay is used today to nourish the skin, even out blotchy skin tone, and reduce acne – specifically stubborn blackheads. There are many clinical studies that have found rhassoul clay to be effective for increasing skin elasticity due to its high silica and magnesium content.
It’s so good for your skin, you can even swap out your soap with it and it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. I have often used it as an all-purpose face wash without any trouble at all!
Properties of Moroccan Red Clay
Skin Type – Normal, dry, or oily skin with lots of blackheads, acne prone skin
Benefits of Using Rhassoul Clay
• Treats blackheads by drying them out and pulling them to the surface (in part due to its high negative charge)
• Removes oils from the pores and tightens them
• Smoothes skin texture
• Improves the firmness of the skin
• Improved skin elasticity
• Improved skin clarity, very effective as an acne treatment
• Reduces dryness with consistent use (2-3 times a week)
• Pulls toxins from the skin
• Exfoliates and cleanses the skin
• Removes dead skin cells
Uses for Moroccan Red Clay
• Face Mask – Mix with water or diluted apple cider vinegar to create an amazing face mask for acne prone skin and for removing stubborn blackheads
• Face Scrub – Before rinsing away the mask, get the it wet with warm water and use your finger to exfoliate the skin with it in small circular motions
• Hair Mask – Dilute 1 TB of moroccan red clay with 1/4-1/2 cup of water or diluted apple cider vinegar. Pour into your hair, allow it to sit for a moment, then rinse thoroughly
• Full Body Mask – for intense spa days, apply the clay to the entire body to detox
How to Use Moroccan Red Clay For Acne Prone Skin
Red Clay Bath Recipe for Body Acne
• Add 1-4 cups (or desired amount, just know that the more clay you use, the better the detox) of red clay to a jar
• Pour enough water into the jar
to cover the clay by a couple inches
• Shake the mixture until the clay dissolves completely
• Draw a bath at the desired temperature and add the clay water mixture
• Rinse the jar under the running water (you don’t want to waste any of that precious clay!)
• Feel free to add your favorite natural bath salts
and/or essential oils
• Submerge as much of your body as possible
• Soak at least 15-20 minutes
This bath will help detoxify the body and pull heavy metals out of your system in a much gentler way than taking bentonite clay internally. Your skin will become smooth, refreshed and revitalized.
Keep in mind that clay baths are powerful medicine and can therefore cause detox reactions.
Soothing Moroccan Red Clay Mask Recipe
• 2 TBS red clay
• 2 tsp rose water
(add small amounts until you reach the desired consistency)
• ½ tsp jojoba oil (you may need less, so add incrementally)
• 1 drop chamomile essential oil
• 1 drop rose essential oil
• Mix together thoroughly and apply freshly cleansed skin
• Let sit for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water
You can get high quality essential oils here.
This clay is good for soothing dry irritated skin.
NOTE: For blackhead problem areas, I would avoid using any jojoba oil as you want the mask to be as absorbent as possible. I recommend mixing all ingredients except the jojoba oil, apply it to your problem areas first, then mix in the jojoba oil for the rest of your face.
Thanks for joining me in this mini series about the different facial clays! If there are any other clays that you would like to know about, please leave a comment below.
Have you used moroccan red clay before? How did you like it?
If you missed the previous clay articles, here they are:
Is Bentonite Clay Right for your Skin Type
White Kaolin Clay for Sensitive Skin
French Green Clay- the Green Standard
For more fun clay recipes and uses, check out these articles:
DIY Detox Clay Mask
Bentonite Clay Mask
Blemish Busting Bentonite Clay Face Mask
10 Reasons to Use Bentonite Clay to Detox Your Body Effectively
