White clay originates from silico-aluminum sedimentary rocks and is rich in several mineral compounds, but mainly in aluminum, silica, and kaolinite, which are responsible for their properties. Amazonian clays are types of clay that stand out for being rich in Phyto-actives full of cosmetic properties; one of them is white clay from the Amazon. Formed on the banks of rivers after floods caused during the rainy season, it is a clay-rich in iron, aluminum, boron, potassium, calcium, and sulfur.
All types of clay are minerals that are formed from the degradation and decomposition of the rock due to exposure to wind, water, rotting of vegetation, and chemical agents over the years, which cause changes in the mineral.
The components present in them confer therapeutic properties and are very beneficial to health. But it is not today that human beings enjoy its qualities. Clay is one of the first forms of natural medicine known to humankind – it has already been used by ancient civilizations as a medicine, mainly for injuries, and for some time now, it has become an excellent ally in aesthetic and medicinal treatments. The use of clay in these treatments became known as clay therapy.
The quality, as well as the compositions of the different types of clay, depends a lot on the region in which they are extracted. There are several types of clay, and each one is indicated for a specific purpose. Each clay has a composition of different minerals, and it is this composition of many components that gives the clays different colors, properties, and applications. Therefore, it is essential to know your composition before using it.
Applications
What is white clay for?
White clay, also called kaolin, contains a significant percentage of alumina, kaolinite, and silica, in addition to a pH very close to that of the skin. For this reason, it is the softest clay of all. It promotes actions to adsorb oil without dehydrating the skin, smoothes, heals, and catalyzes the body’s metabolic reactions. On the face, it can be used to treat blemishes, as it has a whitening effect – this on sensitive and delicate, dehydrated, aged, and acne-prone skins. Its use is more suitable for the face because, in body treatments, it does not give good results.
Manganese and magnesium are also present in its composition, and this fact makes white clay an excellent anti-inflammatory, which can be applied to acne skins. It can be used for normal, mixed, and oily skins.
The presence of silicon has a purifying, astringent, and remineralizing action, with an antiseptic and healing effect that reduces inflammation and plays a fundamental role in the reconstitution of skin tissues, in addition to acting against sagging.
White clay from the Amazon is very rich in mineral salts, as the waters bring these from the Andes to the mouth of the Amazon River. It has minerals that help to eliminate toxins from the skin and hair surface, providing a deep cleansing in these regions.
Sodium, potassium, and iron maintain cellular respiration and electron balance in skin cells, leaving the skin hydrated. Aluminum is an antioxidant and helps to eliminate toxins from the skin’s surface.
These components activate cell regeneration, fight free radicals, channel positive energy, give the skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. White clay from the Amazon is indicated for facial and hair masks, creams, lotions, and body soaps for cosmetic products intended for skin regeneration and cleansing and body scrubs.
Clay can also be used on hair. White is the softest of all and can be used on regular or damaged hair. It stimulates the oxygenation of the hair bulb, helps in the growth of the hair, and regulates sebum production. It has anti-residue, detoxifying and bactericidal action.
