As men, we pride ourselves in knowing important stuff. How stuff works, the best stuff to cure a hangover, and the stuff you need to survive for a week after an apocalypse.
We’re definitely packed with information, but when it comes to skin care ingredients, our databases are virtually empty. Most of us didn’t grow up with a dermatologist mom and/or skincare aficionado dad, so we use the same products on our face we’ve used since puberty.
When we experience a skin-related issue like acne, dryness, itching, irritation, or the first signs of aging, we don’t really have a solution.
Well man, we’ve got one now.
Disco is the best stuff for your skin, and the guy who invented it actually did grow up with a dermatologist mom.
Disco can also put you in the know about the best ingredients for your skin and how to heal, restore, and protect your skin and keep it smooth, comfortable, and sexy.
The ingredients in our skin care are designed to work for all skin types. And because we’re men who like to know stuff too, we study the ingredients carefully to determine whether they’re worth adding into a product.
One of our favorite ingredients is detoxifying calcium bentonite clay. Here’s the “stuff” you should know about this all-natural ingredient and what it can do for your skin.
What is Calcium Bentonite Clay?
Calcium bentonite clay is the powdery clay mineral substance that remains as volcanic ash ages. When the ash ages, it breaks down into calcium bentonite clay powder which can then be mixed into skin care products like face masks, cleansers, and lotions. It’s pure, natural, and completely badass in terms of keeping your skin free from dirt, oil, and toxins.
Where It’s From
Most of the calcium bentonite clay we have today originates in the western United States. The largest source is found in Fort Benton, Wyoming, giving “bentonite clay” its name. It’s not exclusive to the U.S. -- it can be found all over the world. In fact, ancient cultures have been using this stuff for centuries for wellness and health benefits beyond skincare like adsorption ability.
Is it Safe?
Even Bear Grylls would question the safety of putting decomposing volcanic ash on his skin, but rest assured, the use of bentonite clay is completely safe for use. The healing clay is even available in capsule form which can be eaten to help promote better digestion or put into toothpaste.
The Environmental Working Group gives calcium bentonite clay a rating of 1-2, which is the lowest rating a product ingredient can receive. This means bentonite isn’t suspected of being toxic or carcinogenic for human use.
Why Should I Put This on My Skin?
It’s from a volcano and it’s safe, but why should you be putting calcium bentonite clay on your skin? There are several reasons why this natural clay is beneficial for all skin types.
Absorbent
Got oily skin? If so, you’ll love bentonite. Bentonite clay expands when it comes in contact with moisture (like the greasy surface of your skin), pulling the moisture to it. When applied to oily skin, bentonite absorbs excess oil, leaving skin feeling more balanced, without drying it out.
Bentonite clay is also an expert at cleaning out clogged pores. Whether you’re dealing with serious blackheads and blemishes or just an overall dull complexion, using bentonite clay can help. Clay particles deep dive into pores pulling out dirt, oil, and other impurities leaving skin cleaner and healthier.
Protecting
If you aren’t wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, it’s time to start. Freckles, sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles are all results of UV damage, and it’s easy to avoid that damage by wearing sunscreen.
Bentonite clay is a great product to use along with sunscreen. It creates a barrier on the skin which can block external irritants. To date, you can find bentonite clay in some sunscreen formulas, but the effects of bentonite in this type of external use is really centered to help the product with water resistance. The FDA hasn’t yet approved bentonite to have sun blocking side effects, but studies show that bentonite does offer a form of protection against the sun.
Soothing
Your skin takes a beating on a daily basis. External irritants like smoke, ultraviolet light, pollution, and even household cleaning chemicals can expose your skin to free radicals. Free radicals are unbalanced molecules that cling on to the balanced, healthy molecules in your skin cells.
When this happens, your skin cells become damaged. That damage usually appears in fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and an overall complexion that looks like you’re on a ten day bender.
Skin that is damaged and/or irritated can benefit from the soothing effect of calcium bentonite clay. This clay is able to absorb toxins that can end up on the skin and penetrate to the cellular level for a nice detox effect.
Because bentonite clay is packed with so many vitamins and minerals, it’s effective in soothing skin rashes or reactions (like poison ivy or oak).
Brightening
You probably don’t think much about wanting a brighter complexion, but you should. If you feel like your face isn’t as “awake” as it used to be, it could be because your complexion is a mess. Exposure to toxins and free radicals, bad skin care habits, poor diet, and lack of sleep can all contribute to a dull complexion.
Using a product that contains calcium bentonite clay can help clean away dirt, oil, and toxins from your skin and leave you with a brighter, smoother, definitely sexier complexion. Skin tone looks more even, and skin feels softer and more touchable.
Who Can Benefit From Bentonite Clay?
If you’ve got skin, you’re a good candidate for calcium bentonite clay. It’s great for all skin types, but particularly effective in helping guys with oily skin find balance.
Here’s how to use calcium bentonite clay by specific skin type.
Oily Skin
End your greasy skin nightmare once and for all. Oily skin can be hard to control, especially if you don’t have the right products. Trying to make it go away by obsessively washing it won’t work.
The key to dealing with oily skin is finding a way to help balance out your skin’s natural sebum production. Your skin can become oily for numerous reasons, including changes in your hormone levels.
Using a bentonite clay product can help absorb excess oil on your skin and even out your skin’s natural moisture balance. Not just any bentonite clay product will work. Most of the clay mask products you find in your local big box store are targeted to women.
Disco’s products are all formulated to work specifically with the perfect pH balance of a man’s skin. You’ll get better, more consistent results using products designed for your skin, and not your mom’s.
Normal Skin
Even if you consider your skin to be normal (i.e. not overly oily and not excessively dry) you still need to take good care of your skin. Bentonite clay is a great addition to your skin care routine and can help keep your skin clear and your complexion even.
Using a bentonite clay mask a few times a week helps keep your skin balanced, improves texture, and reduces the occurrence of clogged pores.
If using a mask is a little out of your comfort zone, we get it. Think of it like happy hour for your pores. We promise, you’ll thank us later.
Dry Skin
Dry, itchy, red, flaky, and tight are all trademarks of skin that is dehydrated. It can seem like nothing will fix your dry skin, but chances are you just aren’t using the right products.
Using a bentonite clay mask can help keep your skin hydrated by creating a barrier to lock in moisture, so skin stays hydrated longer. The mineral content in bentonite clay helps keep skin feeling smooth and restores a healthy complexion.
Using the mask is great on its own, but incorporating the use of other nourishing skin ingredients like ultra-hydrating macadamia nut oil is the best way to get a permanent dry skin solution.
One to try? Disco’s Hydrating Face Moisturizer leaves skin smooth, moisturized, and deeply hydrated for hours.
Let’s Disco
To get the very best results from a calcium bentonite clay product, it’s Disco or bust. Our regimen set includes everything you need to up your skincare game and grab the bentonite clay benefits you want. Our products are all vegan, cruelty-free, natural, and sustainable, so you can do what’s best for your skin while doing what’s best for the environment.
Now you know some stuff about calcium bentonite clay and can impress your friends (or dates) with not only your knowledge of quality skin care ingredients, but also your super clear, amazingly soft, uber touchable skin.
Sources:
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/700671-bentonite/
