What is clay. Cosmetic clay: cheap and cheerful

Clay is an interesting and diverse material in its properties, which is formed as a result of the destruction of rocks. Many people, when dealing with this plastic substance, wonder: what does clay consist of? Let's find out the answer to this question, and also figure out how this can be useful to a person.

What is clay, what substance does it consist of?

Clay is a sedimentary rock, fine-grained in structure. When dry, it is often dusty, but if it is moistened, it becomes a plastic and pliable material that can take any shape. When the clay hardens, it becomes hard and its shape does not change.

The mineral composition of different types of clays, although different, necessarily contains substances of the kaolinite and montmorillonite group or other layered aluminosilicates. Clay may also contain other impurities, carbonate and sand particles.

The typical composition of this substance looks like this:

kaolinite - 47%;
aluminum oxide - 39%;
water - 14%.

These are not all the components of clay. Mineral inclusions - halloysite, diaspore, hydrargillite, corundum, monothermite, muscovite and others - are also present in different quantities. The following minerals can contaminate clays and kaolins: quartz, dolomite, gypsum, magnetite, pyrite, limonite, marcasite.

Types of clays

What clay is made of depends largely on where and how it is formed. Depending on this, they distinguish:

1. Sedimentary clays are the result of the transfer of natural weathering products and their deposition in a certain place. They are marine - born at the bottom of the seas and oceans, and continental - formed on the mainland. Marine clays, in turn, are divided into:

shelf;
lagoon;
coastal.

2. Residual clays are formed during the weathering of non-plastic rocks and their transformation into plastic kaolins. Study of such residual deposits may reveal a smooth transition of clay into parent rock with changes in elevation.

Properties of clay

Regardless of what substance clay is made of and where it was formed, there are characteristic properties that distinguish it from other natural materials.

When dry, clay has a dusty structure. If it hardens in lumps, it crumbles easily. This material quickly gets wet, absorbs water, and as a result swells. At the same time, the clay acquires water resistance - the ability not to allow liquid to pass through.

The main feature of clay is its plasticity - the ability to easily take on any shape. Depending on this ability, clay can be classified into “fat” - which is characterized by increased plasticity, and “lean” - diluted with other substances and gradually losing this property.

Plastic clay is characterized by stickiness and viscosity. This property is widely used in construction. Think about what the construction mixture consists of? Clay is an essential component of any connecting solution.

Distribution on the planet

Clay is a very common material on Earth, and therefore inexpensive. There are a lot of clay deposits in any area. On the sea coasts you can see clay dumps that used to be solid rocks. The banks and bottom of rivers and lakes are often covered with a layer of clay. If the forest path has a brown or red tint, then most likely it also consists of residual clay.

In industrial clay mining, the open-pit mining method is used. To get to deposits of useful substances, they first remove and then remove the fossils. At different depths, clay layers may differ in composition and properties.

Human use of clay

As already mentioned, clay is most often used in construction. Everyone knows that the usual material for constructing structures is bricks. What are they made of? Sand and clay are the main components of the dough, which under the influence of high temperatures becomes hard and turns into brick. To prevent a wall made of individual blocks from crumbling, use a viscous solution that also contains clay.

A mixture of clay and water becomes the raw material for pottery production. Humanity has long learned to produce vases, bowls, jugs and other containers from clay. They can have different sizes and shapes. Previously, pottery was a necessary and widespread craft, and clay products became the only utensils used in everyday life and a very popular product in the markets.

Clay is widely used in medicine and cosmetology. Those who care about the beauty and health of the skin know about the beneficial effects of certain types of this substance. Clay is used for wraps, masks and lotions. It effectively fights cellulite, gives skin elasticity, and prevents premature aging. For some medical indications, clay is even used internally. And for skin diseases, dried and ground into dust material is prescribed in the form of powders. It is important to mention that not any clay is used for such purposes, but only some types that have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

What is polymer clay

Polymer clay makes it easy to imitate the texture of other materials, such as wood or stone. From this plastic substance you can make your own souvenirs, Christmas tree decorations, jewelry, interior decorations, key rings and much more. Such handmade products will be an excellent gift; they can be stored for a long time without losing their attractive appearance and original shape.

What does polymer clay consist of? Homemade recipe

Craftswomen who are interested in the process of making such bright souvenirs have probably thought about how to make polymer clay on their own. This is a very real task. Naturally, the resulting material will not be identical to factory-made polymer clay, but if manufactured correctly, its properties will not be inferior in any way.

Required components:

PVA glue - 1 cup;
corn starch - 1 cup;
non-greasy hand cream without silicone - 1 tablespoon;
Vaseline - 1 tablespoon;
lemon juice - 2 tablespoons.

This is everything that we will prepare at home.

Mix starch, glue and Vaseline thoroughly, add lemon juice and mix again until smooth. Place in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and send back for another 30 seconds. The crust that has formed on the surface must be removed and discarded, and the elastic mass should be placed on a tray greased with hand cream and kneaded vigorously for 5 minutes. After cooling, our polymer clay is ready for use.

By learning how to make polymer clay yourself, you can save on expensive purchased materials and, without limiting yourself, master an interesting, creative activity.

Rock Clay

English name: Clay

Minerals in the rock Clay: Kaolinite

Clay- a fine-grained sedimentary rock, lumpy or dusty when dry and acquiring plasticity or becoming limp when moistened.

Clay composition

Clay consists of one or more clay minerals - illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite, halloysite, or other layered aluminosilicates, but may also contain sand and carbonate particles as impurities. Alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2) form the basis of the composition of clay-forming minerals.

The diameter of particles in clay is less than 0.005 mm; rocks consisting of larger particles are usually classified as silt. The color is varied and is mainly due to the impurities of mineral chromophores or organic compounds that color them. Pure clay is mostly gray or white, but clay in red, yellow, brown, blue, green, purple and black is also common.

Origin

Clay is a secondary product formed as a result of the destruction of rocks during the weathering process. The main source of clay formations are feldspars, the destruction of which under the influence of atmospheric agents forms silicates of the group of clay minerals. Some clays are formed by the local accumulation of these minerals, but most are sediments from water flows that accumulate at the bottom of lakes and seas.

In general, based on origin and composition, the breed is divided into:
Sedimentary clays, formed as a result of the transfer to another place and deposition there of clayey and other products of the weathering crust. Based on their origin, sedimentary clays are divided into marine clays, deposited on the seabed, and continental clays, formed on the mainland.

Among the marine ones there are:
Coastal marine clay - is formed in coastal zones (turbulence zones) of seas, open bays, and river deltas. They are often characterized by unsorted material. They quickly change into sandy and coarse-grained varieties. Replaced by sandy and carbonate deposits along the strike. Such clays are usually interbedded with sandstones, siltstones, coal seams and carbonate rocks.

Lagoon clay - is formed in sea lagoons, semi-enclosed with a high concentration of salts or desalinated. In the first case, the clays are heterogeneous in granulometric composition, insufficiently sorted and wind together with gypsum or salts. Clays from desalinated lagoons are usually finely dispersed, thin-layered, and contain inclusions of calcite, siderite, iron sulfides, etc. Among them there are fire-resistant varieties.

Shelf clay - forms at a depth of up to 200 m in the absence of currents. They are characterized by a uniform granulometric composition and large thickness (up to 100 m or more). Distributed over a large area.

Among the continental ones there are:
Deluvial clay - characterized by a mixed granulometric composition, its sharp variability and irregular layering (sometimes absent).

Lake clay, mostly with a uniform granulometric composition and finely dispersed. All clay minerals are present in such rocks, but kaolinite and hydromicas, as well as minerals of hydrous oxides of Fe and Al, predominate in the clays of fresh lakes, and minerals of the montmorillonite group and carbonates predominate in the clays of salt lakes. Lake clays include the best varieties of fire-resistant clays.

Proluvial, formed by temporary flows. Characterized by very poor sorting.
River - developed in river terraces, especially in the floodplain. Usually poorly sorted. They quickly turn into sands and pebbles, most often non-layered.

Residual clays - resulting from the weathering of various rocks on land, and in the sea as a result of changes in lavas, their ashes and tuffs. Down the section, residual clays gradually transform into parent rocks. The granulometric composition of the residual clay is variable - from fine-grained varieties in the upper part of the deposit to uneven-grained ones in the lower part.

Residual clays formed from acidic massive rocks are not plastic or have little plasticity; Clays formed during the destruction of sedimentary clay rocks are more plastic. Continental residual clays include kaolins and other eluvial clays. In Russia, in addition to modern ones, ancient residual clays are widespread - in the Urals, Western and Eastern Siberia (there are also many of them in Ukraine) - which are of great practical importance. In the mentioned areas, mainly montmorillonite, nontronite and other clays appear on basic rocks, and on medium and acidic rocks - kaolins and hydromica clays. Marine residual clays form a group of bleaching clays composed of minerals of the montmorillonite group.

Practical uses of clay

Clays are widely used in industry (in the production of ceramic tiles, refractories, fine ceramics, porcelain-faience and sanitary wares), construction (production of brick, expanded clay and other building materials), for household needs, in cosmetics and as a material for artistic works (modeling ). Expanded clay gravel and sand produced from expanded clay by annealing with swelling are widely used in the production of building materials (expanded clay concrete, expanded clay concrete blocks, wall panels, etc.) and as a heat and sound insulating material. This is a lightweight porous building material obtained by firing low-melting clay.

This clay has the shape of oval granules. It is also produced in the form of sand - expanded clay sand. Depending on the clay processing mode, expanded clay of different bulk density (volume weight) is obtained - from 200 to 400 kg/m3 and higher. Expanded clay has high heat and noise insulation properties and is used primarily as a porous filler for lightweight concrete, which has no serious alternative. Expanded clay concrete walls are durable, have high sanitary and hygienic characteristics, and expanded clay concrete structures built more than 50 years ago are still in use today. Housing built from prefabricated expanded clay concrete is cheap, high quality and affordable. The largest producer of expanded clay is Russia.

Rock Properties

Rock type: sedimentary rock
Color: Grey, white, black, red, yellow, brown, blue, green, purple. Color is mainly due to impurities of mineral chromophores or organic compounds
Color 2: White Black Gray Brown Red Yellow Green Blue Purple
Texture 2: massive layered
Structure 2: relict pelitic silty psammopelitic aphanitic conglomerate
Literature: Gorkova I.M., Korobanova I.G., Oknina N.A. and others. The nature of strength and deformation characteristics of clayey rocks depending on the conditions of formation and moisture. - Tr. Laboratory hydrogeol. Probl., 1961, issue. 29

Rock deposits Clay

Sladko-Karasinskoe
Chelnokovskoye
Barinovskoe
Kozinskoe
Koltashevskoe
Mokrousovskoe
Polovinskoe
Shumikhinskoe-3
Safakulevskoe-3
Yurgamyshskoe-3
Tselinnoe
Tselinnoe
Shadrinskoe-2
Shadrinskoe-3
Katayskoe-2
Glyadyanskoye-2
Karasinskoe
Gzhel quarries
Belgium
Brest region
Minsk Region
Golbitsa
Kuropole
Belarus
Moldova

Details Created 08/09/2011 21:57 Updated 05/24/2012 03:10 Author: Admin

Clays were formed as a result of natural weathering of igneous feldspathic rocks - mainly granites, volcanic glass, tuffs, porphyrites, as well as due to the destruction of metamorphic rocks (gneisses), etc.

As a result of weathering, feldspars are transformed into a clayey substance, which is formed mainly in the form of kaolinite minerals according to the following scheme (for orthoclase):

The reasons for this decomposition of feldspathic rocks are physical (temperature fluctuations, freezing of water, crystallization of salts), chemical (under the influence of atmospheric oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, organic acids) and biological (vital activity of microorganisms) weathering. As a result of physical and chemical weathering on various rocks and deposits, a weathering crust appears.

Weathering crust minerals are formed in two ways - synthetically, for example, by converting feldspar into individual oxides - Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2
and by coagulation of these oxides into the mineral composition kaolinite, and by hydrolysis of primary minerals. The minerals kaolinite, illite (hydromica) and montmorillonite are the main rock-forming minerals of clay raw materials.

The word “clay” means fine-clastic sedimentary rock consisting of mineral particles less than 0.005 mm in size, chemically representing hydrous aluminosilicates and accompanying impurities of other minerals. Since granites, together with transitional varieties, make up approximately all igneous rocks, i.e. there are much more of them in nature than others, sedimentary rocks contain the largest amount of clay (as a decomposition product of the most common minerals of igneous rocks - feldspars, for example orthoclase , albite, anorthite).

It is estimated that the earth's crust consists of 95% igneous rocks and 5% sedimentary rocks, of which 4% are clays only. Clays can be primary, which remained in the place of their formation, and secondary, which were deposited in new places as a result of alluvial, deluvial, fluvio-glacial, aeolian and other processes. Primary clay, moving in one of these ways, for example, by water, could be freed from the impurities that originally accompanied it and therefore be deposited in a new place in a purer form, while improving in quality. This is how kaolins were formed, characterized by a high content of the mineral kaolinite, high fire resistance, and a low content of coloring oxides, as a result of which they acquire a predominantly white color before and after firing.

Clays with a slightly increased content of fluxes and coloring oxides are classified as a special type - refractory clays, and clays containing a significant amount of impurities (coloring oxides, fluxes, etc.) become fusible - ordinary clays. If we divide clay raw materials according to the area of application in industry, then pure white kaolins and some refractory clays (white-burning raw materials) are included in the groups of porcelain and earthenware, refractory - in the groups of pipe, clinker, terracotta, and low-melting clays - in the groups of pottery, brick-tile, expanded clay clays.

Clays of Quaternary and Upper Tertiary age, which especially often satisfy the requirements for clay raw materials for the production of bricks, tiles, expanded clay and other ceramic materials and products, are characterized by the presence of a significant admixture of sand particles and the polymineral nature of the clay part. Among the clay minerals in these rocks, hydromica usually predominates. Kaolinite and montmorillonite are of minor importance, and other minerals (chlorite, halloysite, etc.) are present as impurities.

Small amount kaolinite does not significantly affect the increase in firing temperature, and montmorillonite significantly reduces it, which is a valuable quality in the manufacture of building bricks. For the manufacture of some types of bricks and ceramic tiles in Russia, the USA and some other countries, loess rocks are used - widespread quaternary deposits containing, in addition to sand and clay, a lot of fine dusty material (50-70%).

Clay rocks can be in loose and stone-like states. But no matter what state these rocks are in, they contain a group of finely dispersed minerals that give the clay plasticity, the ability to be molded (for stone-like ones after fine grinding) and retain its given shape after drying. This group of minerals, which are hydrous aluminosilicates, is called clay or clay substance.

Except kaolinite clays are widely distributed in nature hydromica. They are formed as a result of weathering of silicate rocks in humid climates and are products of the first stage of chemical weathering. The main rock-forming minerals in these clays are hydromica, including glauconite, and the minor ones are kaolinite and montmorillonite. Primary hydromica clays are found in the weathering crust of crystalline rocks, secondary ones are represented by continental sediments - lake, river, glacial, marine (shelf) and lagoon sediments.

A special type of clayey rock is bentonite. It was formed by weathering of effusive rocks, tuffs, volcanic ash, etc. (it received this name from the name of the American Fort Benton, in the area of which it was first discovered).

Bentonite consists mainly of minerals of the montmorillonite group, but also contains impurities. It is used for the preparation of porcelain masses, washing solutions for drilling, as an adsorbent for liquid clarification,
when enriching iron ores, etc.

Polymineral clays are formed when sedimentary differentiation of matter is not perfect enough. Most of these clays are of secondary origin. They are widely developed in deluvial sediments, in alluvial deposits, rarely in marine sediments and sometimes in the weathering crust. They contain hydromica, kaolinite, montmorillonite, quartz, and micas. They are used for the manufacture of rough ceramic products. Some of their varieties are suitable for producing expanded clay.

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Properties of clay

Types of clay

Clays are classified according to their composition, origin, color, and their practical use. If one of the minerals predominates, the clays are named after this mineral - kaolinite, halloysite, etc. More often, clay is represented by a mixture of three or more minerals, i.e. is polymineral. Typically, clay contains impurities, fragments of various minerals, organic substances and newly formed minerals, with a high content of which there is a transition from clay proper to clayey sands, clayey coals, etc. Their numerous physicochemical properties depend on the chemical, mineralogical and granulometric composition of clays. and technological properties (plasticity, swelling, shrinkage, caking, fire resistance, swelling, adsorption, etc.), which determine the industrial applications of clay and clayey rocks.

Adsorption clays

Adsorption clays are mainly montmorillonite in their mineralogical composition and are characterized by increased binding capacity, high exchange base capacity, adsorption and catalytic activity. This group of clays includes.

Clay treatment is similar to mud therapy in terms of its effect on the body. Just like mud, healing clay has a beneficial effect on the body. The use of clay in medicine and modern cosmetology is quite widespread; this method of thermal exposure has very few contraindications and is recommended for the treatment of skin diseases such as seborrhea, psoriasis, etc.

What is clay and clay therapy

It’s worth starting the story about the medicinal properties of clay and its use by explaining what clay and clay therapy are in medicine.

Clay (Diatomaceus Earth, Argilla) is a plastic sedimentary rock. Clays are a product of the chemical destruction of rocks and differ in quantitative composition and color, and the ability to form a dough-like, easily stirred mass that can be given any shape. With significant liquefaction, the clay loses its plasticity and spreads. The main part of the clay is colloidal hydrate of silica and alumina, which determines its basic physical properties, including poor heat capacity and thermal conductivity.

Cosmetic clay- these are mineral substances of natural origin, with significant plasticity, used for cosmetic procedures. Rich in biologically active substances (magnesium, barium, beryllium, gallium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, etc.).

Clay treatment is a thermal treatment method based on the use of heated healing clay.

The healing properties of clay are used as one of the methods of natural healing of the body. Clays are used to treat more than 30 diseases and about 70 in combination with medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits.

In medicine, only purified, bleached and finely dispersed cosmetic clay is used. White or Chinese clay (kaolin), dispersion, etc. are often used. They are characterized by high hygroscopicity, plasticity, as well as stimulating and antiseptic effectiveness; they are used in cosmetic masks, powder, and hygienic talc.

What types of clays are there, their properties and indications for use

There are many different types of clays, differing in density, plasticity, color, mineral and organic composition. What types of clays are there and how are they used?

Different categories of clays - liquid, plastic, fatty, low-plasticity - have completely different uses. There are also refractory clays, including earthenware and kaolin, and fusible clays. The color of clay depends on its mineral composition (presence of iron, copper). There are white, green, blue, pink and red clays. When deciding which clay to choose, keep in mind that white and green clays are most often used in cosmetology.

The main minerals included in cosmetic clays are quartz, mica, etc.

Look at the photo: The composition of medicinal clays depends on their place of origin. In Bulgaria, in the Rhodope Mountains, blue clay is mined. The population of Crimea and Transcaucasia uses local clays “kil”, “gilyabi”, “gumbrin”. In the north-west of Russia, the so-called Glukhovets kaolin and Pulkovo clay are mined. In the Urals, the Kamyshlovskoe clay deposit of greenish-gray color is known.

Moroccan clay mined in the mountains adjacent to the Sahara. It is red-brown in color, has healing properties and is effective for burns, and its deposits belong to very rich sheikhs.

Green clay colored with iron oxide. Also contains magnesium, calcium, potash, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, aluminum, copper, cobalt, molybdenum. This type of healing clay is used in cosmetics mainly for oily skin and hair - against dandruff, pH = 7. Contains about 50% silicon dioxide, 13% aluminum and 15% other minerals: silver, copper, gold, heavy metals.

Silicon has a positive effect on the epidermis, gives flexibility to blood vessels, stimulates hair growth, lipid metabolism, the formation of collagen and bone tissue. Aluminum has drying and astringent properties.

Red clay has its color due to a combination of iron oxide and copper. It is a less good adsorbent than green clay. Used for iron deficiency in the body. It is not very suitable as a base for masks, as it gives the skin a reddish tint.

Pink clay contains red and white clay in varying proportions. It contains microelements and has disinfecting and smoothing effects on the skin. Since pink clay is very soft, it is recommended for delicate care of the epidermis. Used as a smoothing and astringent mask and in shampoos for normal hair.

Look at what the types of clay look like in the photo - the external differences are mainly in its color and structure:

The healing properties of white and blue clay

White clay (kaolin, Chinese clay) is a traditional raw material component in the manufacture of cosmetics. Purity, whiteness, non-abrasive nature and harmlessness make this mineral a valuable ingredient in cosmetology. In pharmacy it is used in the form of powders, ointments, pastes, as well as for diaper rash and burns, and is part of cleansing masks. An indication for the use of clay may be acne. In addition, clay for medicinal purposes:

cleanses the epidermis;
has an antiseptic and regenerating surface effect;
stimulates the body's defenses, having a special effect on the epidermis exposed to environmental pollution;
saturates the epidermis with minerals;
prevents the spread of germs due to its ability to absorb toxins and contaminants;
has enveloping and adsorbing properties;
facilitates cellular regeneration by stimulating metabolism.

It has a structure similar to green clay, but differs from it in the presence of trace elements. It has a pH = 5 and can therefore be used even for sensitive skin.

The healing properties of white clay are due to a high percentage of aluminum and silicon with an admixture of magnesium and calcium silicates. Used in masks, milk and shampoos for dry hair and in children's cosmetics.

Medicinal blue clay is mined in the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria). It is a powdery mass with pH = 7.3, contains a large amount of copper and chromium, salts, which give it a bluish tint. Recommended in its pure form (when mixed with water) for use as masks for hair, skin, face and body. When deciding which cosmetic clay to choose, keep in mind that blue clay softens and tones the skin, clears acne, whitens, smoothes wrinkles, has a beneficial effect on oily hair, and has anti-cellulite, antibacterial and anti-stress effects. It has a good effect on dehydrated, dull, atopic skin.

Kaolin is most often used for cosmetic purposes.

Clay is everywhere, it is very easy to recognize, it is thin and dense. It can be found in places where the earth cracks: in quarries, near brick factories. Even in the garden, sometimes it is enough to dig one meter deep into the ground to find good clay. For cosmetic purposes and internal use, clay should only be purchased at a pharmacy. There it is of the required quality and undergoes radiation control. In addition, pharmacists will tell you in detail about the types of clay, its properties and uses, and also advise which clay is suitable for your skin.

What kind of medicinal clay and how to prepare it

Knowing which clay is medicinal, you need to decide for what purpose it can be used. For external use, the most preferred one, which has the best healing properties, is clay suitable for modeling. It is used in the production of bricks and ceramic products. The purer it is, the stronger the effect.

For external use, in cases of urgent treatment, and also if it is impossible to immediately obtain the necessary clay, you can use soil similar to it (loam). The loam must be clean. But it is still more advisable to use clay, since it has a stronger healing effect. Any clay mined in an ecologically unfavorable area must be tested for radioactivity.

The easiest way to prepare clay is as follows. Take good clay and lay it out to dry in the sun. If the clay is not dried enough, it will not dissolve easily in water. If there is not enough sun, then you should place the clay near the stove, heater or any source of heat or light.

Before using clay, clean it of various particles, pebbles, roots and other foreign matter. Pour the clay into a basin or other enameled, wooden or fired clay vessel. Dishes with chipped enamel will not work.

Fill the clay with fresh, clean water until it is completely covered. Let it sit for several hours so that the clay absorbs moisture, stir, and crush hard lumps with your hands or a wooden spatula. You cannot use a metal tool - it can adversely affect the prepared mass. It should be homogeneous in composition, without lumps, and should resemble mastic prepared by craftsmen for modeling.

This mass is ready for use. If necessary, slightly dilute the solution with water so that the mass is at the desired consistency, always ready for use. This way it can be stored indefinitely.

The effect of clay on the skin and the body as a whole

The effect of clay on the body consists mainly of three components: thermal; mechanical; chemical.

A clay mass of the required temperature upon contact with the skin heats it, followed by a significant expansion of peripheral vessels. Hyperemia has an analgesic effect, promotes the resorption of inflammatory elements, enhances tissue nutrition and metabolism, and also has an antispasmodic effect. Sweating, often profusely, is of great importance in a number of diseases. Simultaneously with sweat, certain metabolic products are released from the body, such as uric acid, as well as various kinds of toxins. Thus, clay heated to a fairly high temperature is a strong thermal procedure. The thermal reaction during clay therapy is based on the activation of body cells, which is accompanied by stimulation of biochemical processes.

Mechanical action manifests itself in the pressure of a mass of clay on the skin, perceived by the body as an irritant, to the action of which, depending on its quality, quantity and strength, the body responds with an active reaction, accompanied by a number of changes in its functions.

Chemical action clay on the skin is due to the chemical composition of the clay, which contains salts of various elements, oxides of iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, as well as sulfuric anhydride, carbon dioxide and organic substances, which to a certain extent produce an irritating effect on the skin.

Clay for medicinal purposes and contraindications to clay therapy

In terms of its effect on the body, clay treatment is close to mud therapy. Therefore, there are general contraindications to clay and mud therapy: diseases of the cardiovascular system, thyroid gland, tuberculosis.

Indications for the use of clays for medicinal purposes are inflammatory or traumatic processes of a chronic nature: poorly healing fractures, bruises, inflammatory skin diseases.

In cosmetology, medicinal clays are widely used in wraps for the prevention and treatment of cellulite, seborrhea, hair loss, psoriasis, in masks and shampoos.

Clay treatment: lotions, compresses and baths with clay water at home

Procedures with clay include:

clay lotions;
clay compresses (wraps or dressings);
baths with clay (clay water).

In order to prepare lotions, you need to take linen, cotton or woolen fabric, or any linen or napkin. Fold it in half, four or more to the desired thickness, place the fabric on a table or flat surface. Use a wooden spatula to remove the mixture from the container and spread it on a napkin. The clay layer should be wider than the sore spot, 2-3 cm thick.

Wipe the sore spot with a wet cloth. If it is an ulcer, wash it with fresh warm water. Apply the prepared lotion directly to the sore spot and make sure that it fits tightly. Wrap the lotion with a bandage so that it does not move and is constantly in contact with it. Secure the bandage and cover everything with woolen cloth. Do not tighten the bandage too tightly to avoid circulatory problems.

Typically, a clay lotion should be left on the sore spot for 2-3 hours. If it becomes dry and hot, it should be replaced with a new one.

To remove the lotion, you must first remove the outer woolen material, then unbandage the bandage and remove the clay in one motion, being careful not to leave pieces of it on the sore spot. Rinse the affected area with warm water. Do not reuse used clay.

The number of procedures depends on the specific case and the patient’s condition. As a rule, 2-3 lotions a day are enough, but you can use more: one after another, day and night. After complete recovery, you need to continue the procedure for some more time.

You should never put lotions on your chest and stomach during or immediately after meals, but only after 1-1.5 hours. Can be applied to other parts of the body at any time. In this case, you can put 2 or 3 lotions simultaneously on different parts of the body.

When it is difficult to apply a lotion (for example, on the eyes, ears, etc.), you can make wraps (compresses). To do this, you need to soak the cloth in a semi-liquid clay mass so that it is thoroughly saturated, apply the cloth to the painful part of the body and cover it with a woolen blanket. The clay-impregnated canvas must be changed frequently. Such procedures are used and, if necessary, expose a large surface of the skin to clay.

In the treatment of skin diseases, partial (incomplete) and full baths in clay water play an important role - they are very useful. To take a clay bath at home, hold the tops of your hands, soles of your feet, or arms completely in a vessel filled with a very thin clay solution for about 20 minutes. This solution can be used 2 or 3 times.

For pain in the arms and legs after frostbite, it is better to use baths for the extremities. For this method of treatment with clay water, you can use a basin with a clay solution that has previously been left in the sun.

Full baths are taken outside. To do this, you need to make a fairly large round hole in the ground, fill it with water and good clay. Mix the clay and water well to form a light liquid mass.

This can only be done outdoors in the warm season. In cool weather, baths are made in warm water, without renewing the clay, 6-7 times (2 times a week).

After the bath, you should go to bed, cover yourself and drink a hot infusion of herbs.

Bath duration- from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the specific case and the patient’s tolerance of the procedure.

What diseases does clay treat: psoriasis, seborrhea, baldness?

What diseases does clay treat and how to use it for burns?

Clays can be used for medicinal purposes for the following skin diseases:

Psoriasis. The clay should be mixed with coarse salt (in a 1:1 ratio) and the resulting mixture should be applied to the affected areas of the skin for 1-2 hours once a day. It is better to use clay diluted with vinegar in a ratio of 1:3.

Seborrhea (oily skin). For oily hair, wash your hair with clay water; for oily facial skin, you need to make a mask.

Baldness. Rub your head 3 times a day with a mixture of crushed garlic, onion juice and clay water.

Burns. Place clay lotions up to 3-4 cm thick on gauze and apply to the burn surface. Change the cakes every 2 hours until epithelialization. After this, apply 3-4 compresses a day to the burn area and keep for 2 hours.

Clay can be used to remove radionuclides from the body: as a strong adsorbent, it actively absorbs a variety of toxic substances, including radioactive ones.

Clay treatment of skin diseases and cosmetic imperfections

The widespread use of clay for skin diseases and to get rid of cosmetic imperfections has been practiced since ancient times. Various types of creams were made from it, compresses were made on the face, hands and other parts of the body. And of course, treatment of skin diseases with clay was carried out using all kinds of cleansing and toning baths.

Of particular interest is the question of the correct use of clays. There are commercially available clays that are suggested to be used by mixing the powder and water immediately before use, and then applying the resulting mixture to the skin or hair. At the same time, clay-based masks are also available on the market, where one or another type of clay is included in the emulsion base in an amount of 10-40 percent. The choice of clay type depends on the problem being solved, and also largely on the condition of the skin.