I’m about to get straight up ‘bent’- with bentonite clay to be exact. Although it’s been a minute since I kicked the ‘poo, every so often I need to check the tresses into rehab for some serious detox. Bentonite clay is ube-absorbent and sucks up product build-up, dirt, and toxins leaving the curls fresh and poppin’. But before I get to getting bent, first let’s start with the basics. Here is a little breakdown of what exactly bentonite clay actually is and why it’s good for your natural hair:
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.”
How does it work?
“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.”
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).” source
If you have found that your hair is shampoo sensitive no matter what you do, then you should get your mixtress skills popping. In this “Natural Hair Upgrade: Bentonite Clay” series, I’ll show you how to take this sexy dirt and make it work for you and your hair. First up, we have a basic butter bar to jump start the series. These bentonite butter bars balance cleansing with nourishing oils. To go ahead and get bent, you’ll need the following:
1/3 cup bentonite clay powder (Aztec Secret is a popular brand among naturals)
cleanses, improves detangling and defines curls.
3 oz unrefined cocoa butter (melted)
hydrating and high in vitamin E with emollient (smoothing) properties.
2 oz extra virgin olive oil
penetrates the strands increasing strength and elasticity.
1 oz coconut oil
penetrates the hair shaft to condition and strengthen.
1 oz castor oil
coats and protects the strands.
soap mold; baking and tart molds will also work.
Melt the cocoa butter and combine in a bowl with the remaining ingredients, and mix well. Pour mixture into the soap mold, and allow to set and harden for at least 24 hours before carefully removing from the mold*. To use the bar, rub it between wet hands, and then massage the product from your hands along the strands and scalp. Keep bar dry when not in use.
*Optional: I placed the mold in the freezer for the first 10 minutes. As the bentonite clay continues to absorb the oil and quickly solidify, the majority of it will sink to the bottom of the mold. The result is that the oil and fats left at the top of the mold are less concentrated with bentonite. I use this less concentrated side for light cleansing, and the bentonite-heavy side for deeper cleansing.
This is a very basic bentonite cleansing bar recipe, but stay tuned for some remixes—you know I’m going to accessorize it and what not. Until then, check your curls into rehab and come clean–the first step is admitting you have a problem!
These bars are so easy to make and pack. They work great for travel – no more shampoo bottles – and they also make great gifts for naturals and straight haired gals alike!
Are you a bentonite clay girl? How do you use this super “dirt” on your natural hair? Are you going to try these bentonite butter bars and get your hair right?
MORE RELATED KINKY READING:
- {at home hair spa} bentonite clay mask
- {at home hair spa} hibiscus scalp massage bars (rub you the right way)
- why is this shea butter making my hair so heavy and waxy?!
- carol’s daughter healthy hair butter review 2/2
- daily dose of lust: butter jasmine silk burnt out velvet jacket
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hi i want to know if after i apply the bar to my hair ,do i rinse it out or shampoo my hair than apply the bar to my hair and also i will like to know if i can use shea butter in place of cocoa butter thanks
This is a very nice recipe. I had actually bought some bentonite clay a couple of months
back debating on whether or not I should use it on my hair or just my face. Just like you said bentonite is very good for pulling toxins out but there is one thing I noticed you have to be careful with. Before I put anything in my hair I like to research it a whole lot (lol) and I noticed that Bentonite clay is very alkaline and has a ph of around 8.5-9 sometimes even a 10. This is way to alkaline for our hair, so I researched it some more and saw that if you add aloe vera juice or ACV to the mix it should bring the ph down to a safer level. I know the ideal range is about a 4-5 so I wont be using the clay on my hair until i get some ph strips to test the clay out… I just wanted to make you aware of this because ph plays a very important role in our hair… nice article though i will be trying this after i play with testing the clay!!!
I just made this with shea butter. That was all I had and I didn’t want to wait. I’m so excited to try it!
Bentonite with ACV molasses aloe vera & Olive oil is my go to for cleaning.
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