Lesser known than green clay, white clay has a place in your bathroom. Used for thousands of years, traces of it can be found in Egyptian papyrus but also in texts dating from Greek and Roman antiquity in which its cosmetic properties were exposed.

White Kaolin-type clay

The clay white Kaolin type is the most common white clay. It is ideal internally or as a mouthwash for all gastric and gingival problems. It also enters the composition of homemade toothpaste.

For internal intake, it is to drink "clay water". To do this, simply put a teaspoon of white clay in a large glass of water then let it settle overnight. The next morning, drink only the surface water without stirring. Like all clays, it must be consumed far from any medication.

Caution, internal use is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure and children. Pregnant women should refer to their doctor's advice.

The white clay of the Maghreb: Ghassoul (pronounced rassoul)

Ghassoul comes from the Moroccan dialect Arabic ghassala which means "to wash". Of white color, more or less grayish, this clay is found only at the foot of the Middle Atlas, in underground mines 200km south of Fez. In the Maghreb tradition, ghassoul is an important element in the hamman ritual, as well as black soap and the kessa glove (a more or less rough crepe glove used to exfoliate dead skin).

This clay is furthermore rich in silicon, magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium , phosphorus and zinc. Its low aluminum and calcium oxide content gives it softening and less aggressive properties than green clay.

White clay to care for your skin and hair naturally

For centuries, Moroccan women have been washing their bodies and hair with ghassoul, which is a clay known as a saponifier by preparing a paste with rose or jasmine water. The softness of this clay is perfectly suited to fragile, dry or reactive skins not altering their protective hydrolipidic film in any way. Unlike green clay which tends to dry out the skin, white clay nourishes it and leaves it feeling as soft as can be.

Used as a mask on the face by adding floral waters in the preparation, white clay absorbs excess sebum as well as impurities responsible for pimples and blackheads on the face, upper back and bust. Purifying, slightly exfoliating, softening, regenerating, it protects the skin from external aggressions (pollution, make-up etc...).

Good to know: due to its gentle action, it can also be used as an eye contour treatment to eliminate dark circles by incorporating cornflower floral water.

Its ability to regulate sebum makes its use highly recommended foroily hair. White clayis a natural shampoo that does not lather but washes, detangles, strengthens and makes the hair shiny and silky.

For damaged hair: prepare a fluid paste with a mixture of ghassoul and argan oil then apply it to the lengths before letting it sit for at least 1 hour.

Preparation and use advice.

It is recommended to avoid metal utensils when preparing masks, cataplasms and other pastes because the transfer of ions would alter the properties of the clay. Prefer glass or wood.

Clay absorbs impurities. Once used, do not reuse.

Clay tends to build up in the piping. At best, try to run enough hot water to get rid of it or, at best, remove and/or dispose of the excess in the trash or in the garden.

White clay is the perfect ally for dry, fragile, demanding and delicate skins as well as oily and/or damaged hair. Also used for medicinal purposes, this ancestral remedy from North African lands is increasingly present inWestern cosmetics aiming to promote naturalness, the 0 waste and "homemade". However, it is important to keep in mind that there is only one place on Earth where ghassoul can be found, and that it is our duty as consumer-actors to act ethically by demanding conditions of production that are respectful of man and the environment.