Clay is a widespread rock. Clay is a rock that is very complex and variable both in the composition of its minerals and in its physical and technological properties. The conditions for the formation of clays are extremely diverse.
Pure clays, that is, not contaminated with various impurities, are rocks consisting of very small particles (about 0.01 mm or less), and these particles belong to certain minerals. Many researchers call them “clay” minerals. These minerals are complex chemical compounds, which contain aluminum, silicon and water. In mineralogy they are called hydrous aluminosilicates.
Clays have the ability to soak, dissolve in water into separate particles, forming, depending on the amount of water, either a plastic dough or a “suspension” (dregs), i.e. liquid mixtures, in which the smallest clay particles are suspended. Such clay suspensions have a pronounced viscosity.
Therefore, clay can be defined as an earthy rock consisting mainly of hydrous aluminosilicates with a particle size of less than 0.01 mm, easily dissolving in water, forming viscous suspensions or plastic dough, retaining its shape after drying and acquiring the hardness of stone after firing. .
PROPERTIES OF CLAY
The properties of clays depend entirely on their chemical and mineral composition, as well as on the size of their constituent particles. Already these alone. facts point us to the most important properties clay
The most important properties of clays are:
1) the ability to form thin “suspensions” (cloudy puddles) and viscous dough when mixed with water;
2) the ability to swell in water;
3) the plasticity of clay dough, i.e. the ability to take and maintain any shape in its raw form;
4) the ability to maintain this shape even after drying with a decrease in volume;
5) stickiness;
6) binding ability;
7) water resistance, i.e. the ability, after saturation with a certain amount of water, not to let water pass through it.
Various products are made from clay dough - jugs, krinks, pots, bowls, etc., which after firing become completely hard and do not allow water to pass through. Brick factories produce building bricks from clay, which also have a high mechanical strength. This indicates another important property of clay - its ability to harden after firing, giving a material that does not soak in water and is impermeable to it.
Clays can be of all colors - from white to black. In Ukraine and some other areas, white clay serves as a material for whitewashing walls, stoves, etc. When they want to paint walls in colored tones, they use yellow, red, green and other clays. Thus, here we are dealing with a new property of clay - its coloring and covering ability.
Oil refineries use certain types of clays to purify petroleum products. They are also used for cleaning vegetable oils and fats. Thus, we are faced with another property of clay: its ability to absorb from the liquid some substances dissolved in it. In technology, this property is called “sorption capacity.”
Due to the fact that clays contain a large number of aluminum oxides, they are also used as chemical raw materials, mainly for the production of sulfate salts of this metal.
These are the most important properties of clays on which numerous types of clays are based. practical use. Of course, not all clays have the listed properties and not to the same extent.
VARIETIES OF CLAY
The most valuable types of clay for the national economy are:
Kaolin is a white clay. It is mainly composed of the mineral kaolinite. Typically less plastic than other white clays. It is the main raw material for the porcelain, earthenware and paper industries.
Refractory clays. These clays are characterized by a white and gray-white color, sometimes with a slightly yellowish tint. When fired, they must withstand temperatures of at least 1580° without softening. The main minerals that form them are kaolinite and hydromicas. Their plasticity may vary. These clays are used for the production of fireproof and porcelain and earthenware products.
Acid-resistant clays. These clays are a type of fire clay with small amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Used for chemical porcelain and earthenware products.
Molding clays are a type of refractory clay with increased plasticity and increased binding capacity. They are used as a binding material in the manufacture of molds for metallurgical casting. Sometimes refractory clays (less stable when fired than refractory clays) and even low-melting bentonite clays are also used for these purposes.
Cement clays have different colors and different mineral composition. Magnesium is a harmful impurity. These clays are used to produce Portland cement.
Brick clays are fusible, usually with a significant admixture of quartz sand. Their mineral composition and color may vary. These clays are used to make bricks.
Bentonite clays. The main mineral that forms them is montmorillonite. Their color is different. They swell greatly in water. They have a higher bleaching power than other clays. These clays are used for purifying petroleum products, vegetable and lubricating oils, when drilling wells, and sometimes, as noted earlier, in the manufacture of foundry molds.
In industry and technology, other types of clays are often called: pottery, tile, fulling, ceramic, drilling, earthenware, porcelain, capsule, construction, paint, etc. However, these names practically do not characterize the special properties of clays.
IN production practice There is also a division of clays into “fat” and “lean” (sandy loam, loam). This division of clays is associated with the degree of contamination with quartz sand. Quartz sand is the most common and almost always predominant impurity in clays, especially in residual clay deposits. In “fat” clays there is little sand, but in “lean” clays there is a lot of it.
As already indicated, clays are widespread in nature and usually occur at shallow depths from the surface. All this makes them a cheap type of mineral raw material. However, transporting them over long distances is impractical. Therefore, they try to use them locally as mineral raw materials whenever possible. For example, all brick and tile factories are necessarily built on the clay deposit itself, since it is much more expedient to transport more expensive fuel to the factory than huge masses of wet and very heavy clay.
However, not all types of clay are found everywhere. Some varieties of them occur only in certain, few areas. Meanwhile, the demand for them is very high, and consumers (factories, construction sites, etc.) are often many hundreds and even thousands of kilometers away from the production site. In such cases, long-distance transportation of clay becomes inevitable.
Clays are classified as mineral raw materials for mass consumption. They are used in a wide variety of sectors of the national economy, for a variety of purposes. Here are just a few of them:
Brick production
This is the largest consumer of clays. It does not impose particularly strict requirements on raw materials. To produce the usual building bricks widely used low-melting sandy (“lean”) clays of any color are used. Deposits of such clays are found almost everywhere and a large number of local brick factories are based on them.
In addition to “lean” clays, brick production can also use “fat” plastic clays, but in this case they are added to give the bricks stability during drying and firing. quartz sand. Brick clays should not contain crushed stone, pebbles, gravel, large pieces of limestone, gypsum and other impurities. Building bricks are fired at a temperature of 900-1000°.
Along with small brick factories serving small consumers, powerful, fully mechanized enterprises are being created in our country near large industrial centers and large new buildings, producing many millions of bricks annually. Such enterprises require powerful raw material bases, the preparation of which is the most important national economic task.
Cement production
Portland cement is a finely ground powder obtained from a mixture of clay and limestone fired at a temperature of 1450-1500° (with a small addition of gypsum). This burnt mixture is called “clinker” in technology. Clinker can be prepared either from marl, which is a natural mixture of limestone and clay, or from an artificial mixture of them in approximately the ratio of 1 part clay and 3 parts limestone.
The quality requirements for clays used in the Portland cement industry are not particularly stringent. Widespread sandy brown and red clays are quite suitable, even with a very high iron content (up to 8-10%). The harmful impurity is magnesium oxide. The presence of coarse sand, pebbles, crushed stone and other large parts is not allowed. The possibility of using one or another type of clay largely depends on the chemical composition of the limestone mixed with it and is determined in almost every specific case.
Clay cement is a powder obtained by jointly grinding baked clay at a temperature of 750-900°, dry slaked lime and gypsum in a ratio of 80: 20: 2.
Art
Plastic green, gray-green and gray clays are widely used in sculpture. Typically, all sculptors initially create their works from clay and then cast them in plaster or bronze. Only in rare cases is the clay original subjected to firing. A fired, unglazed clay sculpture is called “terracotta”, a glazed one is called “majolica”.
Other consumers
There are many more industries that use clays. These include, for example, soap, perfume, textile, abrasive, pencil and a number of others.
Clays, in addition, are widely used in everyday life, especially in agriculture: for laying furnaces, claying currents, whitewashing walls, etc. The use of swelling clays of the bentonite type in the construction of dams, reservoirs and other similar structures has great prospects. Clay is an important and necessary mineral for many sectors of the national economy.
Of course, cosmetic clay is different from the one that can be found everywhere. The clay used for masks has its own special deposits, from where it is extracted. This clay is distinguished, first of all, by its unique composition, which ensures its effective healing properties. Clay contains various beneficial minerals, their quantity and proportional ratio affect, in turn, the color of the clay.
It is by color that cosmetic clay is usually divided into varieties or types. What color is clay? There are quite a large number of shades, the most popular are blue, white and green clay.
Benefits and properties of various varieties
Types and properties cosmetic clay determines its chemical composition. Depending on the composition, one or another clay can be used to eliminate various skin problems. What types of clay are there? There are quite a lot of them, some of them are used more often, while others are rarer.
White clay
Included in those types of cosmetic clays that most often used. You can find white clay both as a powder, sold for making masks at home, and as an ingredient in professional cosmetic products. In general, this clay is considered the main raw material for the manufacture of cosmetics.
It is even used to create children's products, since the effect of this type of clay is very soft and gentle, it is suitable even for sensitive skin types.
- Among the properties of white clay are: antibacterial effect, which allows you to stop inflammatory processes.
- Clay also has a scrub effect and removes dead particles from the skin, preventing pores from becoming clogged and preventing the appearance of blackheads.
- The nutrients that clay is rich in allow it to be used as a vitamin-rich mask.
- In addition, the use of cosmetic clay for the face promotes regeneration, so it is advisable to use it for marks from burns or wounds.
Blue clay
One of the most valuable types of cosmetic clay is blue. In ancient times, this clay was even bought for gold and brought to the country from abroad. The fact is that blue clay has a rich chemical composition, which contains many useful elements. And such clay is highly valued, since it is used not only in cosmetology, but also in medicine, quite officially, for example, in clinics in Sweden.
Blue clay is especially useful for acne; it allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of this problem. In addition, clay has a tightening effect and is used for age-related changes skin.
Green clay
The unusual color of this clay is the result of the influence of iron oxide. But besides him, this type contains a lot of clay useful elements. It is usually used for oily facial skin; it has a powerful antibacterial effect, and also removes harmful toxins and impurities from skin pores thanks to its absorbent properties. Clay helps maintain skin moisture balance and also makes it more toned. In addition, this clay is often used to create hair masks, especially for dandruff.
Red clay
Masks made from this type of clay are used when the skin is acutely lacking iron. The color of this clay is due precisely to the rich content of copper and iron oxide. This clay is also suitable for creating tightening masks that make facial contours much clearer. The mask will also help soothe irritated skin and relieve inflammation.
Pink clay
Essentially, it is a mixture of white and red clay, which is used in cosmetology for delicate skin care, gently smoothes it has an astringent effect. It is excellent for preventative ongoing care.
Yellow clay
This type perfectly removes toxins from the skin, enriches it with oxygen, giving a natural and pleasant shade. Such clay is used even with quite complex problems with skin, because it has high efficiency. In addition, yellow clay has a tonic effect.
Black clay
This clay is considered a good cleanser for the skin, it absorbs dirt and toxins, effectively tightens pores. In addition, this type works well as a scrub, removing dead cells from the skin, which can cause inflammation and blackheads.
Gray clay
This clay differs in that it is mined exclusively from the seabed, as well as from the bottom of some salt lakes. This clay does not have a very pleasant smell, but it has a very effective effect on the skin, moisturizes and nourishes it well, restoring skin cells. This is a fairly rare clay, it is not very easy to find in pure form and more often it is found as part of some masks.
Masks with different clays
There are masks that include different kinds clay In fact, any of the above clays can be used as a mask, simply diluted with water to the desired consistency. You can also use herbal infusions instead of water, which increase the effectiveness of the clay.
On average, you need to keep a mask with clay for about fifteen minutes; if your skin is oily, then it is advisable to increase the time to twenty minutes, and ten minutes will be enough for dry skin. Also, weekly use for oily skin is necessary more often, about three times, when for dry skin one will be enough.
It is worth noting that for those with dry skin, it is better to add olive or vegetable oil to the clay mask.
What can clay be mixed with?
- You can add chamomile, calendula or sea buckthorn to the white clay.
- Blue clay is combined with tomato juice and milk.
- Yellow clay can be mixed with egg yolk and sea buckthorn oil.
- Use black clay with lemon juice and calendula.
- Mix green clay with oatmeal.
You can also add other ingredients to masks.
Choosing a Clay Type
Which cosmetic clay to choose for the face?
It all depends on your skin type and the problems it has.
- White and blue clay are best suited for oily skin; you can also use green. They normalize metabolism in the skin, eliminate oily shine, inflammation and acne.
- Gray and red clay are suitable for dry skin; these varieties will restore moisture balance, moisturize the skin and soften it.
- If the skin is very sensitive, then white clay, which is distinguished by its mild effect, is suitable for it, as well as red clay, which relieves inflammation.
- For aging skin, varieties of white, green, red, and blue clay are suitable, which smooth out wrinkles, make the skin more elastic and have a tightening effect.
Purchasing clay
Where can I buy cosmetic clay so I can make a mask at home? Typically, different types of clay can be found at the pharmacy, as well as in various cosmetic stores. In addition, some beauty salons sell professional cosmetics with clay, and it is also possible to order clay online.
How much does cosmetic clay cost? The answer to this question can be quite different. Pure clay powder price different varieties in a pharmacy, on average, does not exceed 50 rubles per package. But cosmetics with clay can be very expensive, some masks in packages cost up to almost a thousand rubles, it all depends on the manufacturer.
Clay effectiveness
The extent to which the effect of using clay will manifest itself depends on correct selection type of clay according to the type of skin and its problems. If the choice is made correctly, the result will be noticeable almost immediately, and to maintain it, it will be possible to use the chosen remedy prophylactically.
Hi all!
You've probably seen that there are now a lot of jars and bags of cosmetic and medicinal clay on sale.
It is sold in stores, pharmacies, and specialized cosmetic stores.
What kind of clay is this and what healing effect can our skin get from interacting with it?
Let's figure out how cosmetic clay is useful for the face and body and consider all its types and properties ☺
From this article you will learn:
Cosmetic clay for face and body - properties and application
Clay is a polymer rock of volcanic origin, consisting of various minerals.
Cosmetic clay is a natural product that contains all the nutrients that our skin needs.
It contains mineral salts and very important trace elements:
- phosphorus,
- potassium,
- sulfur,
- iron,
- magnesium,
- calcium,
- manganese,
- cobalt,
- copper,
- nickel,
- zinc,
- vanadium,
- silicon and many others.
Today it has been scientifically proven that with the help of clay you can not only cleanse the body of toxins (natural cosmetics are an environmentally friendly adsorbent), but also harmonize the human biofield by returning magnetic-electric balance to the cells
How does clay affect the face and body?
Clay can improve the condition of your body's skin:
- Clear,
- Remove excess fat
- Reduce sweating
- Relieve irritation and itching,
- Fill with trace elements and mineral salts
The main thing is to know and choose the right type of cosmetic clay that best suits your skin type.
Types of cosmetic clay for face and body
Clay occurs in nature in a variety of colors:
- white,
- green,
- yellow,
- red,
- blue,
- gray and even black.
It is by color that one can determine the mineral composition of clay, which in turn depends on the place of its origin.
Each type of clay has its own specific qualities, so it can be used in medicine and cosmetology for a variety of purposes.
White cosmetic clay or Kaolin
- What does it look like and what properties does it have?
White clay or Kaolin is a homogeneous white powder that has a yellow or grayish tint and is slightly greasy to the touch.
This is the most versatile and popular look cosmetic clay.
It is ideal for treating, cleansing, nourishing, rejuvenating and restoring the skin.
This is one of the best scrubs that can gently exfoliate dead epidermal cells.
- What skin type is it suitable for?
This clay is great for caring for oily, combination or inflamed facial skin.
It perfectly dries, cleanses, tightens the skin, eliminates excess fat, tightens pores well and gives a slight whitening effect.
Blue cosmetic clay or Bentonite
- What properties does it have?
Many people know the anti-inflammatory properties of blue clay.
It contains all the mineral salts and trace elements necessary for the skin.
Prevents the appearance of acne, heals wounds and evens out facial skin, smoothing out facial wrinkles and evening out the skin.
It also has a slight whitening effect that can lighten freckles and age spots.
- What skin is it suitable for?
Great for oily and problem skin.
In addition, blue clay is used in folk medicine as very effective means against baldness. To do this, it is diluted in a small amount of warm water and applied to the scalp, rubbing into the roots of the hair for 15 minutes, 3 times a week.
Green cosmetic clay
It has the widest application in cosmetology.
Thanks to iron oxide, this type of cosmetic clay has a rich dark green color.
This clay has powerful cleansing properties, increases blood circulation in the skin, thereby increasing its elasticity (turgor).
- How is it used and what skin type is it suitable for?
This type of clay is medicinal and can be used for some skin diseases (dermatitis, problem skin)
This clay perfectly restores the skin's hydrobalance, absorbs harmful components, and also perfectly softens and cleanses the pores of the face, eliminating oily shine.
Green cosmetic clay serves as the basis for cosmetics and is effectively used in the form of masks, wraps and various compresses.
Green clay can be mixed with any other type of cosmetic clay.
Red cosmetic clay
Red clay gets its color from a combination of iron oxide and copper.
- What properties does red clay have?
Due to the fact that its energetic properties are warm, it is best to apply it to the skin at winter time of the year.
It tightens aging and flabby skin well, improves blood circulation, and helps to increase the saturation of the facial skin with oxygen.
It is great for sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions(irritation, itching, peeling).
You can read more about red clay in this
Pink cosmetic clay
Pink cosmetic clay is formed by mixing white and red clay.
- What properties does pink clay have and what skin type is it suitable for?
It perfectly smooths out small wrinkles and tightens the facial contour.
Gently combats dry and irritated skin.
It relieves fatigue well, increases skin tone and elasticity.
This clay is ideal for any skin type.
Yellow cosmetic clay
- What properties does it have?
This clay relieves inflammation, improves complexion, tones and saturates the skin with oxygen.
Easily softens dead skin (especially on the elbows and legs and easily heals small cracks)
And also eliminates bad smell and increased sweating of the feet.
- What skin type is it suitable for?
It is very rich in iron and potassium and is ideal for caring for oily, combination, aging and dull skin.
Black cosmetic clay
Black clay contains strontium, quartz, iron, magnesium and calcium.
It is worth noting that black clay is capable of burning fat deposits and can be effectively used for anti-cellulite wraps, improving blood circulation and lymph flow.
It cleanses the skin very well.
This type of clay can perfectly absorb all harmful toxins and impurities from the skin. Helps tighten facial pores.
Suitable for normal, oily and combination skin.
Gray cosmetic clay
This type of clay is mined from the very depths of the seas.
Due to its moisturizing and toning properties, it is used for dehydrated, dry skin of the face and body.
How to apply cosmetic clay correctly?
Cosmetic clay is one of those cosmetic products that can be used in a wide variety of ways:
- scrub masks,
- compresses,
- wraps,
- applications,
- massage.
Compress or wrap with clay
Clay powder must be diluted with infusion of medicinal herbs or water (milk) to the consistency of sour cream and applied to cleansed skin of the face and body.
For the wrapping procedure, you need to wrap yourself in cling film and wrap yourself in a warm blanket for 1 hour.
Clay baths for the body
To take a bath with clay, you just need to dissolve cosmetic clay powder in water or herbal decoction, pour it into the bath and take it for 20-30 minutes (4-5 tbsp per bath)
Mask-Scrub made from cosmetic clay
It is very useful to make a mask from cosmetic clay once a week.
It not only evens out the surface of the skin, but also restores its color and normalizes blood circulation.
To do this, a small amount of powder is diluted with water or herbal infusion to form sour cream and applied to the facial skin along massage lines.
Massage with clay
It is useful to use some types of cosmetic clay.
To do this, add it in a small amount to body massage oil, perform a massage, and then wash it off under a contrast shower.
Cosmetic clay for the face - basic rules of use
Let's remember a few basic rules for using cosmetic clay:
- Regularity of use (2-3 times a week).
- Clay should be applied to a clean face or body after a shower.
- It is necessary to wash off the clay by taking a contrast shower.
- The first few procedures may be accompanied by a deterioration in the condition of the body’s skin and hair, due to the release of harmful components from the body.
How to make cosmetic face masks with clay?
So, the rules for making clay masks:
- The base of any cosmetic clay mask consists of 0.5 tbsp of cosmetic clay and 0.5 tbsp of water or herbal infusion.
- The mixture is applied to cleansed facial skin for 15-20 minutes. Wash off first with warm water and then with cold water.
- If you have irritated skin, add 0.5 tsp of apple cider vinegar to the base of the mask.
- If you need to moisturize your facial skin, add to the clay base in equal proportions: sour cream, milk, heavy cream, fruit pulp (watermelon, grapes, peach), vegetable oils (grape seed, jojoba), mineral water, aloe juice, egg yolk, 1-2 drops of essential oils.
- For dry skin, you can add to the base: cottage cheese, protein, yogurt, yogurt.
- For oily skin, it is good to add to clay, honey, lemon juice in proportions 1:1
Features of using cosmetic clay
It should be remembered that the darker the color of the clay, the better it will remove fat and effectively deal with acne (except rosacea).
For example, black cosmetic clay can completely eliminate acne, leaving your skin healthy and very clean!
Do not forget that clay, like any other component, can cause allergic reactions.
Where to buy high-quality cosmetic clay?
Real high-quality clay cannot be cheap.
You should not buy clay for cosmetic purposes for 15-20 rubles, it is of a very low degree of purification and may contain harmful salts of heavy metals, as well as sand, stones and can injure the skin when applied.
This one suits me very well French 100% green clay, this jar lasts me for six months. I make masks once a week and I really like how it “polishes” and evens out the skin.
I hope my post will help you do right choice in the variety of cosmetic clays and appreciate its magical effect on our skin.
Use this wonderful natural remedy, tell your friends on social networks... Let your face be decorated with a healthy glow and smile, and not nasty pimples or wrinkles ☺
Alena Yasneva was with you, see you again!
Since ancient times, cosmetic clay has had the status of an excellent and effective product in caring for the skin of the face and body. Cleopatra herself regularly used it to maintain youthful and beautiful skin.
The beneficial effects of mineral clay were widely used not only in cosmetology, but its properties were also valued in medicine. Pharaonic doctors used it as an excellent remedy with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. In addition, it was included in the composition during mummification. Ancient healers used it to make various types of rubbings, medicinal ointments and pasta. Cosmetic clay was also used for internal use, if it was necessary to achieve an absorbent effect. With its help, they got rid of bacteria and removed toxins from the body. Natural mineral clay was also used for serious poisoning, muscle pain, and epidemics.
Modern use in medicine and cosmetology.
Cosmetic clay is widely used in the field of cosmetology; it is usually included in various face masks that have a cleansing and drying effect. Clay has a wonderful property; it, like a sponge, absorbs excess secretions of the sebaceous and sweat glands. In addition to its cleansing properties, it relieves inflammation and redness, and also relieves skin from peeling. Clay-based masks are especially effective for oily, combination and dry skin. It should also be noted that clay has the ability to enhance the bactericidal properties of certain substances, which is why clay is included in anti-inflammatory ointments and masks.
Types of cosmetic clays.
In general, there are several types of clay in nature, and they all not only differ in color (due to different mineral composition, depending on the place of origin), but also have different properties, which is why they are used in cosmetology and medicine to solve different problems. Clay can be white, blue, green, red, yellow, grey, black and blue. You can buy natural cosmetic clay at almost any pharmacy or cosmetics store.
It should be remembered that when using cosmetic clays, mixing their types or diluting them with the addition of other components is necessary only in clay dishes, but not in iron ones. Since cosmetic clay loves light, it is important to expose it to the sun.
White clay (Anapskaya).
The most commonly used of all types of cosmetic clay is white or kaolin; it is added to masks, ointments, and anti-diarrhea remedies. Often used to treat skin diseases, gynecological diseases, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. White clay also perfectly removes toxins.
This type has the most effective effect on oily (absorbs excess secretions of the sebaceous glands), mixed and problematic facial skin, perfectly cleansing it, drying out pimples (acne) and inflammation, narrowing pores, and also providing a lifting effect. But it is contraindicated for use in the presence of rosacea. It should be noted that this type of cosmetic clay has the property of whitening the skin. She also helps women correct the oval of their face and make it more even. Due to its antiseptic properties, white clay is added to various facial care products with bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. Systematic use of white clay increases the elasticity of the skin, makes it velvety, and improves complexion.
The use of this type of clay is also beneficial for hair. Masks based on it make hair thicker, more manageable and eliminate dandruff. The effect will be noticeable after a week or two of use.
Blue clay (Cambrian, Valdai).
It contains great amount salts and microelements that are necessary for the beauty and youth of our skin. Thanks to its stimulating effect, blue cosmetic clay provides a pronounced rejuvenating effect; it is especially effective for oily skin. Regular use of blue clay prevents acne; thanks to its disinfectant and astringent effect, it dries out small inflammations and pimples, and also effectively smoothes out facial wrinkles.
In addition to the cleansing effect, this type of cosmetic clay nourishes the skin at a deep level, supplying skin cells with necessary substances and the energy of natural compounds, stimulating regeneration processes in the tissues of the epidermis, which helps accelerate the healing process of wounds and damage to the skin. Cosmetics based on blue clay activate blood circulation and accelerate metabolic processes in skin cells, restoring firmness, elasticity and a healthy appearance to the skin. It is also worth noting that this clay has a slight lightening effect on freckles and age spots.
The use of blue clay for hair, due to the presence of silicon in its composition, activates hair growth and also helps eliminate dandruff.
Masks based on it are also effective for use on the legs in order to improve blood microcirculation, reduce swelling and heaviness in the legs. In addition, such products can help cope with cellulite, sweating, eliminate unpleasant odors, and also prevent fungal and bacterial diseases.
Green clay.
The green color of this type of clay is due to the content of iron oxide in it. Most often used in cosmetology, it is added to masks, wraps and compresses. The clay composition, rich in microelements, promotes recovery water balance skin, and also provides excellent absorbent properties. The use of green clay cleanses and softens the skin, eliminates inflammation and irritation, smoothes wrinkles, and also has a drying effect. It is often recommended to improve capillary blood circulation, as well as general skin rejuvenation. Masks based on it perfectly cleanse pores and get rid of oily shine. This type of clay can be combined with other types.
It should also be noted that this clay is recommended for use in baths to relieve stress, tension, fatigue and irritation. This recommendation is due to the property of green clay to remove negative energy accumulated during the day.
Red clay.
The color is due to the presence of copper and iron oxide in the composition. This type of cosmetic clay is recommended for the care of dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. Products based on red clay, in particular masks, improve blood supply processes in the tissues of the epidermis, help soften and moisturize the skin, perfectly exfoliate the dead layer of cells, eliminate itching, irritation and redness on the face. In addition, they perfectly eliminate signs of flaking skin. Also, this type of clay can help in caring for aging skin, as it improves oxygen saturation of tissues. It is often prescribed for a lack of iron in the body. Red clay is often combined with white clay.
Red clay is also effective in hair care; products based on it help nourish hair follicles, strengthen weak and brittle hair, and also eliminate oily seborrhea.
Pink clay.
Pink cosmetic clay is recommended for the care of any skin type. It is obtained by mixing red clay and kaolin, which allows it to have the effect inherent in both types of clay. Its use promotes skin rejuvenation, smoothing wrinkles and tightening the facial contour. The use of masks based on it cleanses, nourishes and softens the skin, restoring elasticity and having a refreshing and regenerating effect. Baths based on pink clay promote deep hydration of the skin, have a tonic effect, improving metabolic processes in tissues.
Yellow clay.
This type of clay contains a huge amount of iron and potassium, which helps improve oxygen supply to tissues, and also determines its ability to remove toxins in cases of various inflammatory processes. Masks based on yellow clay have a tonic effect, improving complexion. It is recommended for use in the care of oily, combination, aging and dull skin.
Thanks to the rare chemical composition experts recommend it for the correction of various cosmetic flaws, as well as prophylactic against many skin diseases. Yellow clay has the ability to absorb waste products of the body, in addition, it has a detrimental effect on pathogenic bacteria. Baths based on it perfectly relieve fatigue, help accelerate metabolic processes in tissues, improving appearance skin.
Gray clay.
This type of cosmetic clay is mined in the sea at great depths. Its use gives a pronounced moisturizing and toning effect. In most cases, it is recommended for the care of problematic, dry and dehydrated skin. Gray clay promotes deep detoxification of the skin and the body as a whole.
Gray clay-based masks effectively cleanse and deeply nourish the skin, tighten pores due to their antiseptic properties, have a healing effect on acne and boils, and also have a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
The use of clay in hair products helps strengthen hair, prevent brittleness and hair loss, and also prevents peeling of the skin.
Gray clay baths perfectly soften rough skin of the hands and feet, heal small cracks and damaged skin.
Black clay (Dead Sea).
This type of clay contains iron, strontium, magnesium, quartz and calcium. Products based on it perfectly cleanse the skin of impurities and toxins and tighten pores. Most suitable for the care of combination and oily skin, as well as for normal skin types.
Mud therapy using black clay helps improve blood and lymph circulation, as well as metabolic processes. In addition, procedures based on it stimulate tissue respiration, regeneration processes, and promote the resorption of inflammation processes. Masks based on black clay serve as an excellent means of moisturizing and toning the skin.
Wraps with black clay give an excellent effect of reducing volumes, as they help burn fat deposits.
Blue clay.
Masks based on blue clay have a cleansing, whitening and softening effect, help tighten pores, and also have a pronounced rejuvenating effect. Baths using this type of clay have an antiseptic effect and accelerate the regeneration processes of skin cells.
In addition, it has a stimulating effect on metabolic processes in cells, increasing blood circulation and providing an anti-stress effect. Blue clay is recommended for use on any skin.
Clay is found almost everywhere. The color of clay is very diverse - gray, red, brown, yellow, green, black and pure white. The presence of clay is indicated by swampiness, as well as the viscosity of the soil (especially noticeable after rain). Clay is a mixture of various fine-crystalline minerals, among which aluminosilicates predominate, that is, compounds of alumina (otherwise known as aluminum oxide), silica (otherwise known as silicon oxide) and water. Silicon - in Latin “silicium” (from the word “silex” - cobblestone, flint), hence aluminosilicates - minerals containing aluminum and silicon. Many uses for aluminum have been found, including it can be used in the production of LED lamps: http://www.kvazar-gr.ru/
Types of clays
Depending on the main components and impurities in the form of sand, iron oxides, salts and organic substances are obtained various varieties clay They have special properties and therefore are used in different ways.
By melting point clays are divided into kaolins, refractory and fusible clays. Kaolin, or kaolinite, is included in the form of the main part in many clays. It is formed as a result of weathering of feldspathic rocks. Impurities in kaolin may include undestroyed rock minerals: quartz grains, feldspars, mica, and ferruginous minerals. Feature clay - plasticity - is probably well known to each of you: who hasn’t rolled balls out of clay and sculpted funny little people!
Clays have varying degrees of fire resistance. Kaolins are greasy to the touch, have little plasticity and are very fire-resistant (melts at approximately 1750 degrees). After firing, the kaolin shard remains completely white. Kaolin is almost completely free of iron oxide impurities, which give clay products a particular color.
Kaolin
Kaolin is the main raw material for the production of porcelain and earthenware products. Quartz is added to it, as they say, to “thin” the kaolin, that is, to reduce shrinkage (volume) during firing, as well as feldspar for “fluxing,” that is, to fuse the porcelain mass. Kaolin is also necessary for the paper, soap and rubber industries. Low-grade kaolin is used to produce refractory products.
Refractory clays
Refractory clays contain few impurities that lower the melting point; they are usually painted in gray, greenish-gray or yellowish, almost white tones. To the touch refractory clays They are fatty and, moreover, flexible: when wet, they can be flattened into a thin plate and pulled out into a thin cord that does not tear at the folds. Despite their name, they are less refractory than kaolins (melt at 1580 degrees). After firing, a light-colored shard is produced.
Refractory clays are used in metallurgy. They are used to make refractory bricks for laying blast furnaces and other factory furnaces, as well as for the production of acid-resistant products.
Low-melting clays
Low-melting clays are the most common. They melt at 1150-1350 degrees. Low-melting clays have a significant percentage of various impurities, especially iron oxides and alkalis. The color of these clays is often dark and gray. Plasticity is less than that of fireproof ones. After firing they produce shards of both red and dark colors. Low-melting clays with a significant sand content are used for making bricks, and with a low sand content - for the production of tiles, pottery and other products.
Fat and lean clays
Clays rich in alumina are called fatty clays. If you run your fingernail across dry clay, a characteristic shiny feature remains on its surface. Clays that cannot be polished with a fingernail are classified as lean clays; they contain a lot of silica (sand) and alkalis (from feldspars and micas). They are usually colored with impurities in various colors.
If a piece of clay is crushed into powder and shaken in a test tube with water or stirred with a sliver in a glass, then fatty clays form a difficult-to-settle turbid liquid in which clay particles remain suspended for a long time; lean clays, on the contrary, produce a well-settled liquid in which sand quickly settles to the bottom. Fatty clays have good plasticity.
If there is more than 45 percent sand, the rock is no longer called clay, but loam.
Application of clays
Some clays have good absorption capacity. They are used to decolorize liquids, such as petroleum products - gasoline and kerosene, as well as to remove foreign impurities, for example from waste lubricating oils. Such clays are called bleaching clays.
Clays highly colored in yellow, red and brown tones (ocher clays) are used as mineral paints. The color of clay is explained by the presence of certain impurities in it. The yellow or yellow-brown color of the clay is due to iron oxide; chocolate brown - manganese; dark or black - organic substances. White color raw clay does not yet prove the absence of iron oxide in it, since after calcining the clay over high heat, a reddish tint may result. On the other hand, black clay after calcination can become grayish-white, light red or dark brown.
The presence of pyrite in the clay, already familiar to us from sand, can be easily detected by golden sparkles. Brick clay contains harmful impurities - gypsum and small lumps of limestone, which after firing are “quenched” (absorbing moisture from the air) and, increasing in volume, tear the brick. Lime, which is closely related to clay, is technically less harmful, and its amount can even reach 10%. When the lime content is high (up to 25 percent), the clays are called marly, and when the amount of lime reaches 80 percent, they are called marls.