I am brand spanking new to using healing clays in my home. My experience with using clay before finding Redmond products was using over-the-counter pre-mixed facial masks as a teenager. Since these concoctions were most likely packed with unhealthy preservatives, additives and toxic fillers, I don’t know if I can rightly label that as “using clay”.

I thoroughly enjoyed Redmond’s Earthpaste (click here to read my review), but when I was given a product review sample of just straight up Redmond Clay, I was thoroughly and completely stumped on how to use it for this review. Not because I couldn’t think of anything to do with it, but because there was just SO MUCH I could do. How could I even begin to choose?!

I am completely addicted to reading mom blogs (surprise, surprise, I know) and I am regularly bombarded with unique and innovative ways to incorporate healing clays into a daily lifestyle. Where do I start?! Well, I decided to start where I’m most comfortable. Yes. Yes, I used some of my sample clay give myself a facial. (And a hair mud mask while I was at it!)

And one hell of a facial and hair mask it was. But the details – and recipes! – deserve itheir  own posts, so you’ll just have to hang tight and keep an eye out for those in the next few days. 😉

But before I go off on my personal review, let’s learn a little more about Redmond Clay, shall we? (I always imagine myself as Clifford from Muppet Tonight when I indulge in that segue. You win at everything forever if you get that reference.)

What Is Redmond Clay?

Redmond products are all natural and extremely beneficial, and the company behind them are fellow information junkies that are redunkulously generous when it comes to sharing the science and the methods behind these timeless healing agents.

Due to this fact, a lot of this information comes straight from the Redmond Clay website. No, it’s not because I’m lazy at information gathering. And no, it’s not because this post is intended to act as an advertisement (just scroll through my product reviews – some of them quite unfavorable – to see that that’s not how I roll). Its simply because the information is accurate, concise and relevant.

That said, let’s move on to the what’s and why’s!

Redmond Clay is a natural, edible bentonite healing clay with no additives, chemicals or preservatives. Bentonite clay has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes since ancient times.

Geologists state that Redmond Clay is volcanic ash that was deposited in sea water long ago, where is developed into a swelling-type sodium bentonite clay. Redmond Clay is extracted from the earth in the state of Utah, near the famous ancient sea bed salt mines. This clay deposit is one of the most unique clay deposits discovered so far, being rich in both calcium and sodium.

Once extracted, Redmond Clay is then packaged in its pure, natural state. The clay remains as pure today as it was when the Fremont Indians first discovered it’s uses long ago.

How Does Redmond Clay Work?

There are literally thousands of recipes and dozens upon dozens of internal and external uses for Redmond Clay – which is why the folk at Redmond have dubbed it “the clay of a thousand uses”.

At a molecular level, Redmond Clay has a negative electrical charge. The formation of bentonite resembles teeny tiny business card shapes, with negatively charged wide surfaces and positively charged edges, providing a surprisingly high surface area and powerful drawing effects. Since nature hates a lonely ionic bond, each negatively charged ion attracts a substance carrying a positively charged ion. As most toxins, heavy metals and free radicals are positively charged, the clay eagerly pulls out the toxins by adsorption, naturally ridding the body of these harmful elements.

Additionally, Redmond Clay is one of the only clay’s with the ability to absorb toxins as well as adsorb them (the process described above). When ingested, Redmond Clay works as a sponge, soaking in infections and harmful toxins into the core of the clay, to be eliminated as waste.

With a pH level of 8.7-9.8, Redmond Clay is quite alkaline and has proven effective in neutralizing ailments that result from acidic environments of the body – like heartburn, acid reflux and upset tummies. Redmond Clay is also extremely mineral rich, (ya know, being from the earth and all) and the composition of essential minerals that our bodies cannot create on their own is essential to skin, gut and overall health.

Internally, people have used bentonite clay when suffering from diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, stomachache, acid indigestion, acid reflux, and other digestive problems. It can be taken as a daily supplement, added to water or other drinks, or even added to food.

Externally, hydrated Redmond Clay can be used as a poultice on cuts, bruises, insect bits, bee stings, boils, rashes, achy joints, acne and burns. It can be used as a detoxing agent in facial masks and hair masks, and added to toners, toothpastes, rinses, soaks and spa treatments.

Because of it’s drawing ability, highly alkaline pH and natural minerals, it’s a highly effective home remedy.

My Thoughts On Redmond Clay

As I stated above, my personal experience with using clay is quite limited, so I am speaking from a “new at all this ish” standpoint. That said, I absolutely love this stuff!

It’s simple, it’s clean, not to mention that it’s earthy chic and hippy swanky. I’m quite happy to finally be jumping on the clay using bandwagon. (I’m always the last to be jumping in on these things!)

The hair mask I made left my hair feeling, looking and smelling great, and the face mask left my face as smooth and moisturized as a moisturizing milk mask. Plus, a little bit goes a long way, so I am looking forward to many more recipes, uses and experiments with this ancient remedy and beauty secret.

I would recommend Redmond Clay over others, not because I am oh so savvy when it comes to clay’s, but simply because of the company transparency and the natural state of the finished product. Even the most “natural” of ingredients can be tampered with, added to, or delivered in a sloppy or unethical manner.. which is why picking a company you trust is so vital these days. Redmond is one of those rare gems that provides service, ingredients and product in it’s most genuine and natural forms.

I am now regularly using Redmond products DAILY in my food (Real Salts), in my toothpaste (Earthpaste) and in my hair and skin care products (Redmond Clay).

If you are unfamiliar with healing clays, or haven’t yet checked out Redmond products, I would highly recommend you remedy that. This product gets 5 stars in my book!