“A bad hair day is just a bad day.”
We all want to style our hair in the perfect manner, as hair is an important part of one’s appearance and sets the tone for one’s entire look. Your unique way of styling your hair also reflects your personality.
To help you take care of your hair, several hair care products are formulated to help nourish and prevent hair damage resulting from dryness, pollution and other factors. In fact, the market is flooded with products, from shampoos and conditioners to serums, colorants and sprays.
When it comes to natural hair care products, one common ingredient is bentonite clay. This clay is formed from volcanic ash that has aged over time, weathering in the presence of water.
The bentonite clay that you get in the market comes as a soft white powdery substance. The very fine, smooth and odorless powder is comprised of various nutrients and minerals.
When used on hair, it helps clarify your hair and treats issues like dry scalp, damaged hair, frizzy hair and dull-looking hair.
Additionally, bentonite clay is negatively charged, but when activated by liquid, attracts positively charged ions, impurities and toxins. It binds to them, so that the toxins get eliminated quickly.
This property of bentonite clay also helps draw out excess dirt and oil from the scalp, which in turn reduces the risk of dandruff, scalp sores and other issues.
When it comes to hair care and other external uses, sodium bentonite clay is more beneficial than calcium bentonite clay, as it absorbs 10 to 15 times its own weight in water.
To prepare a bentonite clay hair mask, you need just 2 or 3 ingredients. Here, we used apple cider vinegar and water.
Apple cider vinegar helps balance out the acidity in your hair, leading to a better shine and overall health.
How to Make a DIY Bentonite Clay Hair Cleansing Mask
Things you’ll need:
- Bentonite clay – 1 cup
- Water – 1 ½ cups
- Apple cider vinegar – ½ cup
- Non-metal container and spoon
Steps
1. Put 1 cup of bentonite clay in a non-metal container.
2. Add 1½ cups of water to the clay.
3. Using a non-metal spoon, mix the clay and water into a paste with a smooth consistency. If needed, add a little more water.
4. Then add ½ cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
5. Mix the ingredients again.
6. Your DIY bentonite clay hair mask is ready for use.
How to Use Your DIY Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo to remove accumulated dirt and oil.
- While your hair is still damp, apply the prepared bentonite clay hair mask. Slowly work your way from the roots to the tips and ensure all the hair strands are coated properly.
- Wear a shower cap and allow the mask to sit on your hair for up to 20 minutes. Be sure that the mask does not dry, as it will be very difficult to remove.
- After 20 minutes, rinse your hair with warm water and make sure all the clay has been washed out.
- If you want, you can apply a conditioner.
- Allow your hair to air-dry, then style your hair as you want.
- Use this hair mask once or twice a month.
Additional Tips
- Along with apple cider vinegar, you can add aloe vera juice, honey, olive oil or a few drops of essential oil to this bentonite clay hair mask.
- You can change the quantity of the ingredients, depending on the length of your hair.
- It’s important to avoid the use of metal containers and utensils while using bentonite clay. Any kind of metal will contaminate the clay and lower its effectiveness.
- Use only a wood, plastic or glass bowl and spoon.
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