Using clay to cleanse your hair and scalp can do wonders for your curls. Want to know how to prepare your clay wash?
Washing your hair with clay wash will leave it shiny, cleanses your scalp, and, most importantly, enhances your curls – if you have curly or wavy hair. However, anyone can use clay wash for washing their hair.
The frequency and even the ingredients will vary with your hair type. So first, look at the recipe and then move on to the elements and possible tweaks.
Ingredients
- Rhassoul Clay – 3 Tbsp.
- Bentonite Clay – 3 Tbsp.
- Kaolin Clay – 2 Tbsp.
- Aloe Vera Juice – 1 Cup
- Apple Cider Vinegar – ½ Cup
- Manuka Honey – 1 Tbsp.
- Glycerin – 1 Tbsp.
- Ginkgo Biloba Hair Oil – 1 Tbsp.
- Margosa Leaves Hair Oil – 1 Tbsp.
- Eucalyptus Oil – 7 Drops
- Peppermint Essential Oil – 7 Drops
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients together – rhassoul clay, bentonite clay and
- kaolin clay and mix well without any lumps.
- Now, add in oils – Ginkgo Biloba hair oil, margosa leaves hair oil, eucalyptus oil, and peppermint essential oil and stir to combine the ingredients.
- Add honey, apple cider vinegar, and glycerin to the mixture, along with Aloe Vera juice.
- Add the aloe juice slowly while stirring the ingredients to ensure the consistency doesn’t become runnier than you’d like.
- Once you get the right consistency, you’re all set.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can choose one or more clays for this hair wash. I have chosen based on my preference and results. You can also use Fuller’s Earth, Volcanic black clay, purple clay, Amazon white clay, Australian pink clay wash, and French green clay wash. Different clays have different properties and characteristics that are unique to each. Choose the one that’s suitable and available to you.
You can choose any essential oil you like or one with hair benefits.
Carrier oils can be swapped for any Ayurvedic or herb-infused oils.
You can use any honey though Manuka is sought after as they’re the best skin and hair moisturizers.
If you’re allergic to apple cider vinegar or can’t find it, you can use white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, or even distilled white vinegar. Depending on the wine you choose, you may have to reduce the quantity.
Those allergic to aloe vera juice can swap it for rose hydrosol or rose water. Both aloe vera and rose water hydrate and soften the hair. They’re used here in place of water for their benefits, but you can reduce the quantity and add water partially if you prefer.
You can add rose water and aloe vera juice for the beautiful floral aroma and make your hair softer.
If you like foam, add soap nuts or soapberry powder for lather.
You can add herbal powders to this recipe for added benefits. Many hair-beneficial herbs include margosa leaves, false daisy leaves, hibiscus flowers or leaves, henna leaves, dried gooseberry, dwarf copper leaves, water hyssop leaves, hair fruit, Indian hog plum, etc.
How to Use the Hair Wash?
Mix all the ingredients and add the aloe vera juice. Finally and adjust the quantity according to the consistency you prefer. It can be runny or slightly thicker – whatever is easier for you.
Apply all over the scalp and massage gently. Coat your hair from root to tips and let it sit for 5 – 7 minutes before rinsing off.
You can use your conditioner for thick or thin hair at this stage.
Air dry and style as usual.
Who Can Use Clay Hair Wash?
Everyone can use it, but this one is specially formulated to enhance curls and waves. It’s the best curly hair shampoo you would have ever tried. However, you can use it if these ingredients work for you or tweak the recipe to suit your requirements.
Shelf Life
This is a recipe that’s prepared right before hair wash. But if you prefer, you can mix the dry ingredients and keep them handy in a jar. Likewise, you can combine the oils (mint oils stimulate scalp) and water-based ingredients just before use. This type of mixing and keeping it handy is especially timesaving when you add herbal powders or are working women, etc.
Why These Ingredients?
Rhassoul Clay
The word Rhassoul literally means “to wash” in Arabic. It is used in a lot of hair and skin care products for the many benefits it offers. It is rich in minerals, curbs dryness, clears pores, combats dandruff, enhances hair elasticity and makes detangling easy. It is very popular and widely used by Moroccans for everything hair and skin.
Bentonite Clay
Ancient clay with therapeutic benefits is a fine clay mask that results from volcanic ash aging. Bentonite clay combats scalp dryness, makes hair shiny, offsets heat damage, clarifies and detoxes the scalp, and is antimicrobial. This means that Bentonite clay can combat scalp issues, including dandruff.
Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay wash is widely used as a thickening and binding agent but is known to be mild and suitable for even sensitive skin. It is a gentle cleanser that cleanses the scalp without stripping off the essential oils or leaving it high and dry.
It removes dead skin cells, exfoliates the scalp, and promotes better circulation. It soothes and repairs damaged hair, and detangled hair, rejuvenates and nurtures hair, improves hair elasticity, and strengthens hair.
Aloe Vera Juice
We have already seen a lot about aloe vera, but it begs to repeat. It offers so many benefits for both hair and skin. Rich in minerals and nutrients, it strengthens wet hair. It controls the scalp’s sebum levels and combats scalp dryness and itchiness. Organic and pure banana and coconut intensely soften curls. It promotes hair growth and protects hair from UV damage.
Owing to its rich vitamin content, it rejuvenates hair and makes your hair shiny. It hydrates hair and is used here also to ensure hair or scalp doesn’t become too dry due to clay.
ACV
Numerous types of research and studies suggest that ACV can benefit hair. It can regulate the scalp’s pH levels and strengthen hair. Rich in antifungal and antibacterial agents, it promotes a healthier and clear scalp. It combats dandruff and soothes and seals hair cuticles, making your hair shinier. Reduces frizz and dryness and regulates the scalp’s sebum levels.
So, if your hair is limp or thin and weighed down, an ACV rinse can fix you up quickly! It’s a natural conditioner that can do wonders for your hair by preventing cuticles from opening up and losing moisture levels. In addition, it clarifies the scalp and removes build-up. Overall, both your hair and scalp will be healthy and able to breathe.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is recommended for dry, frizzy, and damaged hair because it reduces breakage and revitalizes hair. It soothes the scalp, moisturizes your hair, and seals in moisture. As a result, it makes your hair shiny, soft, and healthier.
This combination is suitable for all hair types but makes dry and damaged hair smooth, shiny, and healthy. It also helps prevent split ends and restores hair to its lustrous days.
Glycerin
Extremely moisturizing glycerin fights dandruff, especially the type aggravated due to lack of moisturization. It is a deep conditioner and can make your hair frizz-free, soft, and shiny. It can prevent split ends and combats itchiness.
It’s a humectant that pulls in moisture, nourishing and moisturizing your hair. It retains moisture, and you don’t have to worry about dry or frizzy hair with glycerin in your arsenal.
Ginkgo Biloba Hair Oil
Ginkgo Biloba oil is an anti-inflammatory that fights aging-related symptoms and helps curb hair loss and thinning. It soothes the scalp and strengthens hair. In addition, it promotes hair growth and is used to treat alopecia areata.
Margosa Leaves Hair Oil
Rich in antibacterial properties, it treats skin and scalp issues, including dandruff. In addition, it makes hair stronger, curbs hair fall and prevents premature greying. The oil of the seeds from this tree is used to treat numerous skin and scalp issues like lice, dandruff, eczema, etc.
Eucalyptus Oil
It has a refreshing aroma, stimulates circulation to the scalp, regulates the scalp’s sebum levels, and combats dandruff. It enhances hair growth rate and makes your hair shiny. In addition, it is antifungal and antibacterial and fights scalp infections.
Those with sinus-related issues can add this to their oil massage blend and see their sinus-related issues reduced.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This not only has an energizing aroma but also boosts hair strength and improves the scalp’s circulation. In addition, it increases hair growth rate and strengthens hair follicles. As long as your hair isn’t brittle and dry, peppermint essential oil can work wonders for your hair and scalp.
The best part of DIYing is the tweaking and playing around with variations, so don’t forget to do that. It’s OK if you go overboard, but you will learn to measure and get the ratios and quantities right with time.
Don’t have time for DIY or are worried about doing things wrongly? Don’t worry; we have you covered with the Vitamins Revive. Check out their product range at the Vitamins Revive Store.
