Swap that mask with mud - here's why

Dead Sea mud is well known for its beauty and therapeutic properties. The Dead Sea contains the highest concentration of minerals of all the seas in the world. If you have the privilege of travelling to Israel, take time to soak in the sea and apply the mud all over your body. Once it dries and you rinse it off, this mud will detoxify your body and infuse it with natural minerals, resulting in smooth, supple, glowing skin.

Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Israel to obtain this mud. It is available in beauty shops, health shops, and pharmacies. You can enjoy the benefits of the Holy land’s Dead Sea at home.

Dead Sea mud is rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. These minerals are regularly depleted from our bodies and we need to replenish them. A low level of minerals results in dull, dry and blemished skin. A weekly mud mask will help you maintain youthful, glowing skin. This is one of the beauty secrets that supermodels keep. Remember that your skin is your biggest organ so you can be sure it absorbs what you apply on it externally.

How to use it

The mud either comes in mud form or as a dry smooth powder. In mud form it is easy to use and a little bit goes a long way. If your “mud” came as a dry powder, mix one teaspoon of mud with a few drops of water or essential oils until you achieve the desired consistency.

• Cleanse your face completely, removing all make-up and grease. Cleanse with warm water or put a hot wash-cloth on your face for 30 seconds to open up the pores. Apply some olive or coconut oil around your eyes to protect the delicate skin.

• Dry your skin and use your fingers to apply a thin layer of mud onto your face, using a gentle circular motion. Avoid the area around the eyes and your lips. Allow it to dry naturally for about 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Pat your skin dry and moisturise immediately.

You can also apply a mud mask to your entire body. Mix the mud with a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, and rosemary, which help to relieve tired muscles.

Benefits

Mud minimises the appearance of cellulite, which is caused by toxins and fat trapped in the tissues near the skins surface. Dead Sea mud detoxify the skin, stimulates circulation and removes toxins through the skin. Apply mud to the affected areas then wrap with cling film or plastic wrap. Rinse off after an hour. Do this weekly to obtain firmer skin. Glowing skin – mud improves the elasticity of your skin and minimises wrinkles. It draws out toxins, exfoliates, and restores the skin’s PH balance, resulting in a youthful glow. Relaxation - magnesium is great for insomnia and asthma since it works as a natural muscle relaxant. It may well help you to sleep better.

If you do not have access to Dead Sea mud, bentonite clay produces similar results although it is not nearly as potent.