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Rhassoul, also called ghassoul (pronounced rassoul), is a particular clay that is part of the customs of Morocco and Tunisia. It is traditionally found in hammam culture, particularly associated with Argan oil. Its grain, thicker than other types of clay, and its cleansing properties make it a clay of choice for body scrubs. Very absorbent, it naturally retains impurities and fatty substances, so it is suitable for oily skin and hair. INCI name: Moroccan Lava Clay. Origin: Morocco.
This article was updated on 15/01/2024
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Methods of using clays
In cosmetic care
- Mask for skin or hair;
- Exfoliating treatment;
- Mudbath.
In therapeutic care
- Poultice;
- Clay water;
- Clay water.
For combination to oily and acne-prone skin
Rhassoul clay has strong properties cleansers and particularly absorbent. It will thus help regulate excess sebum to reduce the oily skin effect, while reducing imperfections.
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Use as a mask: make a clay paste (water + clay) to apply directly to the skin as a mask, once a week for 15 minutes.
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Complementary essential and vegetable oils: for greater effectiveness, you can add Jojoba vegetable oil to your paste, as well as a few drops of Petit Grain Bigarade or Tea Tree essential oil to your mask.
For oily and flaky hair
Rhassoul clay is ideal for hair that quickly regreases, thanks to its properties absorbent and purifying, it will cleanse and reduce excess sebum. Exfoliating, it will be ideal for eliminating dandruff and thus cleansing the scalp.
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Use as a mask: make a clay paste to distribute over the entire damp scalp, then massage like shampoo. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with clean water.
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Essential oil and complementary hydrosols: for greater effectiveness, you can add 2 drops of Cade essential oil or a few drops of Atlas Cedar or Green Tea hydrosol to your clay mask.
For fine hair, lacking volume
In hair care, Rhassoul clay will help toadd volume with fine hair. It will also allow strengthen the hair while providing a silky and shiny effect.
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Use as a mask: make a clay paste (water + clay) to distribute throughout damp hair, from roots to ends. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with clean water.
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Complementary vegetable oil and hydrosol: for more effectiveness, you can add a few drops of Argan oil or Bay Saint Thomas hydrosol.
Inasmuch as no poo, Rhassoul shampoo
Rhassoul clay has properties cleansing and absorbent natural. It helps capture a good number of impurities and fatty substances while providing volume and softness to the hair.
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Use in no poo: mix your Rhassoul powder with very hot water to obtain a homogeneous, thick or more liquid paste depending on your convenience. Apply the paste to the scalp, massage, rub as with a classic shampoo. Rinse, rinsing may take a long time depending on hair types.
Inasmuch as body care
Rhassoul clay has properties cleaning and exfoliating, ideal for body care to promote cell renewal. The clay will thus help eliminate the impurities present on our skin and erase gently the skin. This clay will therefore be suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive.
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Use in exfoliating treatment: make a clay paste with water or a hydrosol then apply to the body, massaging delicately in circular movements. Leave on for 10-15 minutes then rinse.
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Complementary vegetable oil: to finish the scrub, you can apply a moisturizing vegetable oil such as Argan.
Main properties of Rhassoul Clay
- Absorbent, cleansing, purifying: rhassoul is a specific clay associated with Moroccan treatments. Like all clays, it benefits from absorbent and cleansing properties. The toxins secreted by our body and the impurities present on our skin attach to the clay in order to be eliminated.
- Exfoliating: the powdery appearance of the clay and its granulometry give it cleansing and exfoliating properties ideal for gentle skin scrubs. This exfoliating property is also interesting for promoting cell renewal.
- For oily to combination skin: rhassoul clay is recognized for its cleansing and particularly absorbent properties allowing it to regulate excess sebum. It is therefore suitable for oily to combination skin.
- For sensitive skin: rhassoul clay is quite gentle and has the advantage of being suitable for sensitive skin.
- For oily and/or dandruff hair: rhassoul clay is an excellent hair treatment in its country of origin, Morocco. It is suitable for all hair types, particularly oily hair prone to dandruff. As a mask, it will cleanse and absorb excess sebum and impurities. It is a foaming clay, an interesting property for washing hair.
Characteristics and composition
Cosmetic features
- Skin type: all skin types, but special mention for oily skin
- Hair type: oily, flaky and fine hair
Mineralogical characteristics
- Inci name: moroccan lava clay
- Country of origin: Morocco
Physical characteristics
- Humidity: <10%
- Particle size: 90% < 50 µm / 100% < 100 µm
- pH: 8.5 to 9.5
- CEC: 45 meq/100 g
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: superfine powder
- Color: brown, beige
- Odor: odorless
Composition
- Moroccan lava clay: 100%
- Pb < 15 ppm
- Ace < 15 ppm
- CD < 0.2 ppm
- Hg < 0.2 ppm
Precautions for use
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Ingestion, people subject to constipation should not use clays. Their use is also contraindicated in people with a digestive hernia, in cases of high blood pressure, a history of intestinal obstruction or even nausea. Be careful, ingesting clay can counteract the effects of drug treatments. It is important to drink enough water during a clay treatment.
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Dermal, clay should not be reused, be sure to throw away clay that has already been used. Avoid letting it dry a clay. Rinse with clean, cold or lukewarm water. On the hairiest parts of the body, for maximum comfort, place a compress between the clay poultice and the skin.
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When handling, be careful of drafts as the clay is powdery. It should not be inhaled. In case of excessive inhalation, it is important to get fresh air. In case of contact with eyes or mucous membranes, rinse with plenty of water. Be careful, when handling clays, do not use metal utensils, they will lose a large part of their effectiveness.
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Pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children should seek medical advice before use.
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Store preferably in a dry place, away from light and heat.
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Bibliography
Publication: Carretero, M.I. (2002). Clay minerals and their beneficial effects upon human health. A review. Applied Clay Science, 21(3-4), 155-163.
Publication: Hernot, F. (2006). Clay, its use in the pharmacy. http://dune.univ-angers.fr/fichiers/20073109/2016PPHA5426/fichier/5426F.pdf
Work : Dextreit, R. (2010). The clay that heals: a guide to natural medicine. Escalquens, France: Living in harmony.
Work : Baudet, C. (2012). In shape thanks to clay! : Natural health and well-being. Mens, France: Terre Vivante Editions.
Website : https://www.rglayduvelay.com/fr/
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