It’s been trial-and-error with grooming products. When our reactivity was at its height, I found baking soda to be quite comprehensive. From bathing to shampoo, to laundry, to toothpaste, baking soda is cheap and effective. I was overjoyed to discover rhassoul clay.
Rhassoul clay is completely natural and beneficial to the skin. It makes a wonderful detoxifying mask. It’s also been used for centuries to cleanse the hair. I’ve been experimenting with it lately and I have to say it feels a bit strange to forego the shampoo and use clay only. However, I love the feeling on my scalp!
With its rich history in beauty care, rhassoul clay makes a wonderful natural addition to any personal care regimen. Using it for the first time, however, can be a bit daunting. Here are directions and recipes to help you venture into the benefits of rhassoul clay.
Prepare ahead by hydrating your clay. Combine 2 tbsp. rhassoul clay with 1/2 c. filtered water (distilled water is optimal) in a glass jar. Using a non-metallic utensil (bamboo skewers work great), stir the mixture. Allow to sit. Stir again and add more water, if necessary, until you have a thick liquid paste.
Skin Care
Hydrated clay can be used as soap. Apply as a thin paste over the skin and rinse. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you’ll feel!
For a face mask, combine several drops of oil with 1/4 c. hydrated clay. Apply to face and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Suggested oils include argan oil, rose oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.
Another option is to combine clay powder with a finely ground herb at a ratio of 2 parts clay to 1 part herb. Suggested herbs include chamomile, calendula, lavender, and neem. Or instead of herbs, add other powders such as milk powder, citrus peel powder, and oatmeal powder.
Neem powder is suggested for acne due to its strong antibacterial properties. After mixing the powders, add water. Start with 2 tbsp. powder mixture to 1/2 c. filtered water, adding more water if needed. Apply to face and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Hair Care
Using hydrated rhassoul clay, apply to hair and scalp. Comb through to distribute clay mixture. Rinse thoroughly. Comb through again and rinse again. It is unlikely that a conditioner is needed, but if desired, consider a natural alternative (see momsAWARE’s All-Natural Hair Conditioner article for some helpful ideas).
Rhassoul clay can also be used for deep conditioning of the hair. Feel free to adapt the following recipe to suit your unique hair needs.
- 1/2 c. rhassoul clay
- 1/2 c. warm coconut milk
- 1/4 c. rose water or herbal water (make your own infusion by pouring 2 c. boiling water over 2 tbsp. herbs or flower petals. Allow to steep for 30 minutes and strain.)
- 1/4 c. distilled water (double this amount if no herbal or rose water is used)
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil
Mix all ingredients except oil. Once you have a paste, stir in the oil. You may add a tad of honey at this point for added conditioning treatment. Apply to hair and allow to sit with a warm, moist towel or plastic hair cap for 1 hour. Rinse and style as usual.
Options for purchase in the United States include Camden-Grey and Mountain Rose Herbs.
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Dear Andrea,
What a great and informative website this is! I’ve been No-Poo for almost 6 months now. Still figuring out the best routine for me. I like to wash with Rhassoul Clay but what I hate is that my hair becomes extremely static after it dries. Do you have the same problem? What can I do about it do you think? Thank you so much in advance, Best Regards, Lydia Scholte
It is a bit static. I comb through with the sheep horn comb and it seems to settle within an hour or two. Combing the hair with a natural material like sheep horn is better than plastic because the plastic accentuates the electrical charges.
Lydia, I am so glad you said that about the clay. I was wondering why my hair was so static-y! I thought our apt air was to dry.
Andrea, thanks for the sheep horn comb idea. Is there a particular brand you’d recommend?
I bought mine from Amazon. They all look genuine to me.
I’m anxious to try Rhassoul clay for hair cleansing, but wonder if it will clog the drain in my shower or build up in the pipes? I’ve read people’s best guesses on a google search, but would appreciate your opinion since you’ve got experience with it.
I’ve not had an issue with this in the 6 years I’ve used it, Melanie. It is such a “fine” clay and doesn’t “gunk” up at all.
Hi Andrea! I just received an order of rhassoul clay in the mail and am eager/nervous about trying it as other “natural” attempts I’ve made with shampoos haven’t always worked well. But I’m ready to give it a try! Here’s a thought about the above recipe for using herbs or flower petals in the conditioner recipe. Please let your readers know to beware of using commercially grown flowers or herbs as many of them have likely been cultivated and grown using pesticides. If you can collect flower petals or herbs that you know don’t have that heritage, it will be best since many of us “no-poo”-ers have switched so we can have less toxins on and in our skin. Keep up the good work and thank you over and over again for sharing the helpful and healthy information you have learned. God bless you!!!
Thanks Deb!!