Coating your skin from head to toe with mud sounds downright dirty and disgusting, yet many women pay big bucks at spas around the country to have just that done. They've discovered what women thousands of years ago understood—that mud and its cousin clay have the power to cleanse, moisturize, and protect the skin. Our ancient ancestors slathered themselves with the stuff and now the trend has returned. "It's a case of something that's quite old being new again,” says dermatologist Rebecca Tung, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at Northwestern University.
"Science is finally catching up with things that people have known for centuries." And just what has science discovered about the powers of mud? For starters, it appears to be an anti-inflammatory agent that is beneficial for people suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff. Mud is also a powerful detoxifier, as certain varieties have chelating properties that allow them to remove iron and other pollutants from the skin. This chelating effect is believed by dermatologists to even help slow photoaging. It's a natural moisturizer, yet many of the minerals in mud are also great at absorbing oil, making the substance perfect for those with pimple-prone complexions.
Mud is technically a liquid or semi-liquid mixture of water and silt, soil or clay, while clay is made up of minerals and is usually formed by the weathering of rocks that contain silicates. Depending on where in the world mud or clay is collected, it will contain different minerals and elements that were absorbed during the decay of living organisms found in those specific locations. Moor mud, French clay, and Dead Sea mud, for example, are three substances commonly found in skincare products as they seem to be higher in beneficial minerals and nutrients.
If you're interested in getting dirty with mud and clay skincare goodies, check out any of our favorites below.
Nars Mud Mask ($45, narscosmetics.com): Masada Mud from the Dead Sea is the active ingredient in this detoxifying and deep pore cleansing face mask, which tightens pores and soaks up excess oil for cleaner feeling skin.
Ahava Dermud Intensive Nourishing Hand Cream ($28, ahavaus.com): Another product rich in Dead Sea mud, this intensely hydrating hand cream helps relieve itching, scaling and even redness.
Olay Purifying Mud Lathering Cleanser ($6.99, soap.com): The benefits of both a gentle skin cleanser and a deep action mask are combined in this face wash, which contains kaolin clay as well as moisturizing glycerin.
Yes to Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner ($8.99, yestocarrots.com): Nourish your hair and scalp with a dose of Dead Sea mud, beta-carotene-rich organic carrots, and carrot seed oil, which work together to detoxify and moisturize dry and damaged locks.
Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar ($38, sephora.com): Made from nothing but 100% Umbrian clay, this soap is multi-purpose; use it to spot treat blemishes, as a clarifying mask, or just to wash up with.
Megan O'Neill is Beauty Editor at EndlessBeauty.com.
