What is Volcanic Ash Clay?
Many years ago, a chain of volcanoes stretched from Mexico to southern Canada. Their powerful eruptions produced tiny cinders and dust-sized particles that billowed high into the sky and were carried eastward by the wind. As this volcanic “ash” descended back to the Earth, it settled into the Mowry Sea, a shallow, stagnant body of water which once occupied the central United States. There, the minerals in the volcanic ash reacted with elements of the salt water, forming a substance known as montmorillonite. Montmorillonite is commonly known today as Sodium Bentonite Clay.

Over the years, Sodium Bentonite Clay beds became buried by deep, dense layers of silica and mud. In time, however, natural erosion caused the Bentonite layers to be re-exposed, allowing Volcanic Ash Clay to at last be discovered by man.

Humankind has long embraced the health and cosmetic benefits of Volcanic Ash Clay. The first evidence of its therapeutic use was found in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C. The ancient tribes of central Africa, North American Indians, and the spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi all praised clay for a multitude of uses. Even Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, used Volcanic Ash Clay as part of her daily beauty regimen.

Today, Volcanic Ash Clay is the best-kept secret of most elite health and beauty spas in the world. When applied to the skin’s surface, this soothing clay firms and exfoliates, resulting in a revitalized and more youthful-looking complexion. It also has the unique ability to draw out toxins and impurities that are embedded deep within the skin’s pores. The effective cleansing and absorptive properties of Volcanic Ash Clay make it a highly sought-after solution for blemishes, cellulite, sun damage, stretch marks, wrinkles and more.

Although costly Volcanic Ash Clay face and body masques used to be available only to the privileged few who could afford them, Clay Essentials now brings you a unique new line of Volcanic Ash Clay skincare masques that you can enjoy in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

What kind of Volcanic Ash Clay do Clay Essentials products contain?
The clay used in Clay Essentials products is Sodium Bentonite Clay, a special type of Bentonite Clay known for its ability to absorb impurities better than any other type of clay. Sodium Bentonite Clay is often referred to as a “living clay,” which means that it is considered safe for ingestion for humans, animals and plants (although we certainly don’t recommend that you eat our products!).

The Sodium Bentonite Clay used in the exclusive Clay Essentials formula originates from the western United States in an area between the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. It was named by American geologist John Pascal shortly after its discovery in 1890. Wyoming Bentonite is believed to originate from the activity of island volcanoes that existed in the modern-day Idaho region.

What kind of quality is the Sodium Bentonite Clay in Clay Essentials?
The Sodium Bentonite Clay used in Clay Essentials products is USP-NF grade, which assures that the product has met rigorously high standards of quality. It is also considered pharmaceutical grade.

Is Clay Essentials safe for the skin?
Yes. Clay Essentials uses no harsh chemicals in the manufacturing of our products. The primary ingredient in our Volcanic Ash Clay masques, Sodium Bentonite Clay, is a natural substance and has been used for centuries as an ingestible internal colon cleanser. Today, Sodium Bentonite Clay is currently sold by many companies as an ingestible product, although the FDA has never approved it for internal use.

How is Sodium Bentonite Clay different from other clays and what makes it so effective in purifying the skin?
The effectiveness of Sodium Bentonite Clay lies in its natural properties, described in detail below.

It has a negative charge. While toxins, harmful bacteria and other impurities carry a positive charge, Sodium Bentonite is negatively charged. The surface of the Sodium Bentonite Clay molecule is comprised of numerous microscopic platelets, just 1 to 2 microns in size, each with a negative electrical attraction for positively charged toxins. This creates a strong magnetic-like effect which draws toxins and impurities to the molecule’s surface and holds them there. These impurities are then carried away with the clay when it is removed, leaving behind skin that’s cleansed, refreshed and purified. Moreover, the microscopic size of Sodium Bentonite molecules enables the clay to easily penetrate the pores of the skin, where it acts as a delivery system for essential nutrients and moisture.

It is highly absorbent. Sodium Bentonite Clay is hydrophilic, which means that it has an affinity for water and is highly absorbent. In more simplistic terms, the structure of Sodium Bentonite is much like a sandwiched deck of cards. When placed in water, these cards or platelets shift apart or “swell”, creating a larger surface area with which to attract toxins and impurities. This unique characteristic enables Sodium Bentonite Clay to absorb 7 to 10 times its own weight in water and swell up to 18 times its dry volume. This is why Sodium Bentonite Clay is called a “swelling clay”. Its strong absorptive properties enhance its magnetic-like effect and make it even more effective in soaking up skin-choking toxins and impurities.

Where are Clay Essentials products manufactured?
Our Volcanic Ash Clay masques are manufactured in a 100,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art cosmetics manufacturing company in Florida. This same facility has been used to make some of the most exclusive and expensive cosmetics products in the industry.

In business for 25 years, our manufacturing company follows all General Manufacturing Practices (GMP). GMP regulations ensure that products are consistently produced in a controlled environment with quality standards guiding their intended use. This ensures that the products you purchase are safe and effective.

What is Kaolin and why is it used in Clay Essentials Volcanic Ash Clay masques?
Kaolin is a natural, clay-like substance that is composed of many different types of minerals. This insoluble white powder is highly absorbent, helping to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities from the skin. Kaolin is ideal for all skin types and has been used in cosmetics and skincare products for centuries. It is used in our products to further enhance the deep detoxifying effects of Sodium Bentonite Clay.

Are Clay Essentials products natural?
Yes. The Sodium Bentonite Clay, botanicals and essentials oils used in our Volcanic Ash Clay masques are natural. The only non-natural ingredient is a preservative which is necessary to prevent mold and bacteria from forming in the product.

What makes Clay Essentials’ formula so special?
Clay Essentials has perfected a Sodium Bentonite Clay formula that was developed more than a decade ago, continually improving it to optimize the powerful, time-tested benefits of Volcanic Ash Clay. Now, we’re making our exclusive formula available to you for the very first time.

How can I be sure of the quality of Clay Essentials products?
The manufacturing process used to make our Volcanic Ash Clay masques follows all General Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which ensure that products are produced in a controlled environment under high quality standards.

In addition, the Sodium Bentonite Clay used in Clay Essentials products is USP-NF (United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary) grade and is also considered a pharmaceutical grade.

Are Clay Essentials skincare masques expensive?
No! On the contrary, Clay Essentials products are surprisingly affordable when you compare them to the cost of traditional spa treatments. While facials can cost from $80 to $160 and body wraps from $250 to $350 at professional spas, the Clay Essentials Face & Body Masque allows you to achieve the same head-turning results at just a fraction of that expense. In fact, just one jar provides you with approximately 96 luxurious face and neck treatments—that’s less than $1 a treatment!

When can I expect results after using your Volcanic Ash Clay masques?
After using Clay Essentials for the first time, you should notice a difference in the feel, texture and radiance of your skin. You will also see improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, cellulite, stretch marks, age spots, scars and skin discoloration. The more frequently you use our skincare masques, the better your results.

How often can I use Clay Essentials skincare masques?
For best results, we recommend that you use the Face & Body Masque and the Eye & Lip Masque 2 to 3 times per week. The Problem Skin Solution may be used 3 to 4 times per week. However, our Volcanic Ash Clay skincare masques are gentle enough to be used every day if desired.

Do I have to continue to use your Volcanic Ash Clay masques, or are the results permanent?
Yes, you must continue to use our skincare masques in order to maintain your results. Like any other spa treatment such as glycol peels and facials or endromologie and body wraps for cellulite, your results will diminish once you stop using Clay Essentials products.

Why does my face get red after I use your Volcanic Ash Clay masques?
Some people may experience some minor redness of the skin following the use of Clay Essentials products. This redness is a result of the product’s deep cleansing and detoxifying effects and is only temporary.

Why can’t I use acid peels or harsh chemicals after I use Clay Essentials?
Due to the exfoliating and intense cleansing action of Volcanic Ash Clay, it is important that you do not apply acid-based peels or harsh chemical products to your skin immediately after using Clay Essentials products. Doing so may cause skin irritation, redness and discomfort.

Can I use too much of the Clay Essentials product? What if I leave the masque on for too long?
Clay Essentials Volcanic Ash Clay masques are natural products, and using too much or applying them too frequently will not cause harm to your skin. At most, you may experience some minor redness that will go away in a short time.

If I have oily or dry skin, can I use Clay Essentials?
Yes! Our Volcanic Ash Clay masques are ideal for all skin types.

On which body parts can I use Clay Essentials?
Our Volcanic Ash Clay masques provide all-over body benefits and can be applied anywhere. Clay Essentials Face & Body Masque brightens, softens and smoothes the skin’s appearance. On the face, it also minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and discoloration. And on the rest of the body, it also improves the look of cellulite, sagging skin, and stretch marks while smoothing out rough, dry elbows and feet. The Eye & Lip Masques improves the look of under-eye puffiness and reduces the appearance of crow’s feet. And Clay Essentials Problem Skin Solution can be used anywhere on the body to improve the appearance of blemishes and other common skin problems.

Will this product help with cellulite?>
Yes! Clay Essentials has produced astonishing improvements in the appearance of cellulite when used by our product testers. It works by deeply detoxifying the skin and pulling out excess impurities and moisture, resulting in a firmer, suppler look. With repeated use, Clay Essentials will continue to reduce the look of cellulite on all areas of the body.

Why does Clay Essentials work so well on blemished and problem skin?
Volcanic Ash Clay has anti-inflammatory properties that have been known to create dramatic improvements in problem skin. With no harsh chemicals that can over-dry or irritate skin, the Clay Essentials Problem Skin Solution gently soothes away trouble spots in just a few applications. This natural formula also helps reduce the accumulation of dead skin cells and impurities that can clog pores over time.

What kinds of skin problems does the Clay Essentials Problem Skin Solution help besides blemishes?
Clay Essentials has produced dramatic improvements in the appearance of age spots, skin discoloration, scars and other irritating skin problems.

How does the Clay Essentials Problem Skin Solution compare to some of the other blemish and skincare products on the market today?
While some of today’s most popular blemish products contain harsh chemicals that can over-dry and irritate the skin, Clay Essentials is a natural product that’s gentle on the skin. In addition to Sodium Bentonite Clay, our Problem Skin solution contains soothing botanicals and essentials oils that calm and nourish problem areas while drawing out toxins and other impurities that can clog pores. What’s more, most people are happily surprised at how much better Clay Essentials works than popular blemish products! Our Problem Skin Solution is perfect for teenagers, men and women and works on all skin types.

When can I expect my skin problems to improve?
You’ll find that your skin is much softer and smoother after just one application of the Problem Skin Solution. However, it is important to note that blemishes may worsen before they get better. This is a natural and positive occurrence as the Volcanic Ash Clay works to detoxify the skin and pull out deeply embedded impurities. With continued use of the Problem Skin Solution (3-4 times a week), you will begin to see a marked improvement in the appearance of blemishes and other skin problems in a few weeks.

Why do I need to purchase both the Face & Body Masque and the Eye & Lip Masque? Aren’t these products the same?
No; these two products are not the same. The Clay Essentials Eye & Lip Masque is specially formulated with essential oils, botanicals and extracts for the more delicate skin around the eyes and on the lips.

I noticed that sometimes the product has slight variations in texture, thickness and moisture. Is this normal?
Perfectly normal. Clay Essentials products are natural and there will always be some slight variations in product batches. However, these subtle variations do not change the efficacy of our Volcanic Ash Clay masques. You will still get the same amazing results with every order!