My Rhassoul Clay Indulge!

I have not done a rhassoul clay treatment in well over a year, last treatment see HERE

I made a Rhassoul clay mix on 13/09/2012 (Thursday), I needed to shampoo as I had some build as I have been naughty and have been co-washing consistently with the old version of Tresemme which has cones in it….. bad idea as my scalp was not liking it.

Anyways, I pre-pooed for a few hours with JBCO Pimento Oil, I then shampooed with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. I then proceed to apply my Rhassoul Clay mix.

Here are the ingredients in my clay mix (Rhassoul Clay, Dark Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Butter & Vatika Coconut Oil).

 

Treatment: Rhassoul Clay

Origin- Morocco

Extraction- 100% naturally occurring and naturally quarry mined
Shelf life- Indefinite (4-5 years recommended)

Other Common Names- Red Clay, Red Moroccan Clay, Ghassoul Clay, Oxide Clay.

Specifications:
Color- Light Gray with a hue of oxidized pink
Odor- Flat
Mesh Size- US #70-80 Mesh
Mineral Content
Silica- 58%
Aluminum- 2.47%
Iron- 0.64%
Sodium- 2.3%
Magnesium- 25.2%
Calcium- 2.34%

What is Rhassoul and where does it come from?
From Morocco, comes this remarkable natural source, reddish brown cosmetic clay known as Rhassoul.
It has been used for over 1400 years as a soap, shampoo, and skin conditioner, and the finest spas across the globe currently utilize it for therapeutic benefits.
Mined deep beneath the Atlas Mountains in Eastern Morocco it must be extracted under extremely special conditions.

Through meticulous selection, and extensive contact with the raw material we are proud to offer this rich Rhassoul that is truly unique in quality and purity.
When first mined, Rhassoul clay appears as a polished brown, soap-like clay, which is chunky in appearance and resembling rocks. After further refinement and micronization, the end product is a smooth almost silken earth.

How does it work?
Rhassoul is a natural, mild cleanser. Unlike soaps and shampoos Rhassoul contains no surfactants and cleanses gently by absorbing impurities and excess oil. With a pH of 6.9 – 7.5, Rhassoul is THE choice for natural and chemical-free hair and skin cleansing.
Rhassoul is an absorbent clay that dissolves in water and plus-ionizes its mineral content when dissolved. The ionized minerals help to fill up the NMF (Natural Moisture Factor - natural cellulite between cells) that is lost by our skin through stress and aging. Its use has a positive effect on keratin carries out recovery promotion of the damaged of horny layer.  When added to water, the Rhassoul-paste is used to adsorb the oils, dead
skin cells, and dirt from the surface of the skin, scalp, and hair.

Rhassoul use for skin conditions. The results of this single use Rhassoul study produced these findings….

• Reduces dryness (79%)
• Reduces flakiness (41%)
• Improves skin clarity (68%)
• Improves skin elasticity / firmness (24%)
• Improves skin texture (106%)
• Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around comedons
• Removes dead skin layers, resulting in a general smoothing of the surface skin
• In addition to the oil removal characteristics

 

My First Rhassoul Clay Hair Treatment

This is how mix my ‘Rhassoul Clay Treatment’ I use about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of warm water and 150g of rhassoul clay. I was not planning to use the whole 150g, but I added to much water and so I have no choice; it was bummer I tend to be good at getting these power mixes right on, awww well there is always a first.

I mix it up and let it sit for a while it was a bit runny and I wanted a thicker consistency so I added a squirt of Mizani Moistufuse conditioner which did the trick of getting to the perfect consistency.

I then co-washed my hair with Aussie Cleanse and Mend conditioner (US version), loves this conditioner. I blotted dry my hair a bit then I apply the rhassoul clay mix in sections and then cover with two shower caps. I was hoping to do it for an hour, but I got busy doing bits around the house and it left in for about 5 hours.

 

I then rinsed it out and I really like the results, it made my hair feel so soft, clean and conditioned. It made the natural parts of my hair the curls seemed more defined and was big and felt heavy. I really liked the results and the feel of my hair afterwards. I am going to order some more and do another treatment, so far really nice results.

Rating: 5/5

Price: varies, purchase from newdirectionsuk, thesoapkitchen, akuawood

Cleanser: Bentonite Clay

 

What is it?
Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays used to treat both internal and external maladies. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. Internally it can be added to water or glazed upon food to help those with sensitive palates. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering "pure white" is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining. The type of bentonite offered by Mountain Rose herbs is a Sodium Bentonite.

Specifications
Color- Light gray to off-white
Odor- Flat

Mineral Content
Silica- 61.4%
Aluminum- 18.1%
Iron- 3.5%
Sodium- 2.3%
Magnesium- 1.7%
Calcium- 0.04%
Titanium- 0.02%
Potassium- 0.01%
Moisture- 7.8%
pH - 8.3 - 9.1

Where does it come from?
Bentonite clay is sedimentary clay composed of weathered and aged volcanic ash. The largest and most active deposits come from Wyoming and Montana. (Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a Wyoming variety).

How is it manufactured?
Bentonite is usually quarry mined from deposits that can range anywhere from 100 feet to several thousand feet. This depends on the health and vitality of the land it is processed from and how far a producer will go to find the right clay with the proper characteristics and consistency.
From here it is mined from the earth and brought out into the sun to remove excess water and moisture and, to make it easier to work with. After the initial drying begins the final transformation. It gets processed (ground) with huge hydraulic crushers and it then goes through the final process of micronization, or "fine granulating". This is usually done with the assistance of sophisticated and expensive granulators. Upon completion of this final process it gets inspected by a quality control team and is sent off for consumer use.

Origin- Wyoming/USA
Extraction- 100% naturally occurring and naturally quarry mined
Shelf life- Indefinite (4-5 years recommended)
Other Common Names- Sodium Bentonite, Sodium Montmorillonite, Wyoming Bentonite.

How does it work?
Bentonite is very unusual in the fact that once it becomes hydrated, the electrical and molecular components of the clay rapidly change and produce an "electrical charge". Its highest power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay's structure assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exterior wall and then slowly draw them into the interior center of the clay where it is held in a sort of repository.
To state it another way…
"Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.

 

My First Bentonite Clay Hair Treatment
This is how and what I used to mix my ‘Bentonite Clay Treatment’.

  

 

 

 

 

 

I use between 2-3 of those green scoop, to ensure I got a good coverage of the clay treatment from scalp to the ends of my hair.

 

 

 

 

 

After I mix up the clay and water, I then section my dry hair into four sections and begin to apply to each section one at a time. Pinning up each section as I complete applying the clay.

This is the results of applying the clay from root to ends.

I then cover my hair with a shower steam cap and left the clay on for about 2hrs, the shower steam cap helps along with my body heat to keep the clay moist and to help with penetration of the clay into my scalp and hair.

The other benefits of steam shower cap is help to prevent the clay form drying and become hard, YOU DO NOT WANT THE CLAY  to dry and become hard on your hair.

The RESULTS was very nice, my hair felt clean, as for my scalp I am not sure that it cleansed it as I would have liked it to. Also the clay had made my hair felt an odd way, not as in BAD, but odd. I honestly can not find a word to describe it lol I have only done this treatment once so far and I do like it and plane to order some more of the ‘bentonite clay’ for future treatments. I will give future updates as to when I attempted another treatment and the results. I will also ensure I take a lot more pictures and better ones too.  

S.N. I had  some of the bentonite clay left and I have been using it on my face and skin and the results are awesome. It make my face and skin ever so smooth. It like I went to  a spa, instead I did it at home. I like the results I got from this clay so far BUT I have another clay in my arsenal to test out which RHASSOUL/GHASSOUL CLAY. When I do then I will make my final judgement. Watch the space for the final verdict!

Rate: 4.5/5

Price: £0.75 for 100g @ https://www.soapkitchenonline.co.uk     Or     £1.50 for 50g @ http://www.akuawood.co.uk

Black SOAP or African Black Soap

Black Soap, also known as African Black Soap (Anago Soap, Alata Simena,or Ose Dudu), has long been used to heal problem skin.

Ingredients:       Black soap is made from the ash of locally harvested plants and barks such a plantain, cocoa pods, palm tree leaves, and shea tree bark.

African Black Soap is traditionally made by hand in Africa. Research has revealed that black soaps might contain many different ingredients, but majority of black soaps contain various oils, like the coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. They also contain ashes from different plants, like shea tree bark, banana trees, cocoa pods, and plantain leaves. Along with these water is used as a base for producing these soaps.

First the leaves and bark are sun-dried and then roasted in a kettle or pot at an even, constant temperature, which is important to ensure color, texture and smell.

Then water and various oils - palm oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil (including shea butter and cocoa pod powder) - are added to the mixture and stirred for at least a day. After that, the "soap" is  left to set for two weeks to cure. Oftentimes the soap is made by women and is fair-traded, though not always.

Some of the many PROMISES of AFRICAN BLACK SOAP:
1.Helps to remove scars caused by acne.
Since acne is not caused by dirt, but due to the release of excessive oils within the skin, the soap cannot remove acne. But use of African black soap helps to remove scars cause due to acne.

2.Helps to remove skin irritations.
Use of black soap helps to remove skin irritations like rashes.

3.Suitable for all skin types.
Black soap can be used for the treatment of problems on all types of skin including the dry and rough, oily and moderate skins.

4.Beneficial for skin diseases.
Black soap is very beneficial for reducing the discomforts that are associated with skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema

5.Helps in removing make-up.
Black soap not only cures skin problems but can also be used as a perfect cleanser for removing make up. It removes every bit of chemicals that can spoil the skin and help to make it clean and fresh.

6.Delays ageing on the skin.
Regular use of black soap helps to remove facial lines that are mostly early signs of ageing. Thus black soap can be used to delay ageing of skin.

7.Benefits to oily skin.
Regular use of black soap helps to remove extra oils form the skin. It is thus useful in preventing the formation of pimples and other problems associated with oily skin.

8.Benefits to the hair.
Black soap can be used for cleaning of hair. After cleaning use your regular conditioner for shiny lustrous beautiful hair.

 

The TRUTH:      I have bought several brand of ‘African Black Soap’. I have bought some from Akuwood, then  got the Dr. Woods from Amazon and another bottle by Body Organiks {all pictured}.

I am really impress with this soap, I have used it on my face and skin {all over like a shower gel}. It cleanses very well. You need to moisturize well afterwards. As it gives it a real deep cleanse when it comes to the face and body.

Now using it on my hair, I used it a number of times on my hair and I am also very pleased. My first impression was that it reminds me of when I use the soap bars of either {Aritha OR Shikakai}. The ABS cleansed my hair better though but it made it felt very strong as those soap bars did. It cleanses by scalp by removing any build I may have experienced from products I have used and it also remove and excessive oil build up, BUT it did not felt as if my hair was stripped, it felt very clean, strong and the smell I liked.

I have tired both the soap (cake type) as shown in the first imagine above as well as the liquids in the picture(s), they are both nice either ay, but I honestly prefer the ABS in liquid form.  So much easier to work with on both the skin and especially the hair. All in all the soap in hard form works just as well as the liquid and liquid as well as the soap in form. Both yield good results.

After I cleanse my hair with the ABS I then proceed to DC with moisturizing conditioner. When I use on my skin I also use a moisturizer than moisturize my skin also.
I will be using black soap for cleansing my hair as well as my skin for a while to come. I am hoping to reduce sulphate shampoo by replacing them with African Black Soap.

Rating: 5/5

Price: varies