If you’ve been bogged down by skin or hair problems of late, there’s a good chance a loved one, a celebrity anecdote in a magazine, or a beauty blogger has drawn your attention to fuller’s earth. The use of this natural ingredient dates back to the ancient Roman civilization when it was used tobleach sheep fur, do laundry, clean surfaces, and keep skin and hair healthy.
In fact, the word “fuller” comes from the term “fulling” which was used to refer to the process of using a particular clay to clean woolen cloth. The people who engaged in this practice were called “fullers,” hence giving way to the term fuller’s earth. And if you’ve got oily skin, you may find a best friend in oil-absorbing fuller’s earth. But that isn’t the only benefit it has. Here is a list of benefits that fuller’s earth will bring with it.
# Cleanses And Exfoliates Skin
An exfoliating fuller’s earth maskwill help you getrid of excess oil, dirt and dead cells caused by pollution.1 Be sure to scrub gently and avoid leaving the mask on for more than 15 minutes.
Fuller’s Earth And Honey Mask
- Combine two tablespoons of basic fuller’s earth clay three tablespoons of water. Mix in a tablespoon bit of honey.
- Apply over your face, and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Scrub the mask on your face with circular motions and wipe the residue off with a steaming washcloth.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, be sure to add a few drops of sweet almond oil to the mask for extra nourishment and moisturization.
# Manages Oil Production In Skin’s Pores
If you struggle with the greasiness that oily skin brings with it, fuller’s earth could come to your rescue. The clay absorbs excess oil from your pores and manages its production.
Fuller’s Earth And Rose Water Mask- Mix equal amounts of fuller’s earth with rose water.
- Apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes or until completely dry. Wash off with cold water.
Besides reducing oiliness, this face pack is believed to aid in refreshing the skin by balancing the skin’s natural pH levels.
# Unclogs Pores
Oil glands on our skin can sometimes produce excess sebum, which blocks our pores. And dead skin cells inside the pores clump together along with sebum and hair and remain trapped under the surface. Clogged pores are behind the dreaded whiteheads and blackheads. Besides, they make your skin look dull. Fuller’s earth deeply cleanses your pores and gets rid of not just the dead skin cells, but also the excess sebum.
Fuller’s Earth, Yogurt, And Egg White Mask- Add 1/4th tablespoon of fuller’s earth to 1 tbsp of yogurt and 1 beaten egg white.
- Leave this paste on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.
In addition to deep cleaning your pores, the yogurt in the mask will ensure moisturization, while the egg white will help balance out any oiliness in your skin.
# Fights Acne
Fuller’s earth is a must-have in your armory of acne-busting products. Since it cleans out your pores, it prevents them from getting infected with bacteria, which leads to dreaded breakouts. Its high lime and magnesium chloride content is also believed to kill harmful bacteria. Besides, fuller’s earth has anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to its acne-busting properties.
Fuller’s Earth And Neem Mask
- Mix 1 teaspoon of neem paste, 1 teaspoon of ground clove powder, 1 teaspoon of rose water, 1 teaspoon of camphor, and 2 teaspoons of fuller’s earth.
- Apply this to your breakouts and leave it on for a 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Rose water in the mask will prevent your skin from drying out and retaliate with excessive sebum production. Besides, neem, ground clove, and camphor are popular acne-eliminating ingredients. The mask may also help reduce acne scars.
# Might Reduce Signs Of Skin AgingA few studies have shown that fuller’s earth might even-out your complexion and reduce wrinkles. And since it also cleanses your skin and pores, it’s bound to make your skin look younger.
Fuller’s Earth And Carrot Mask- Mix 2 teaspoons of fuller’s earth with 2 teaspoons of carrot pulp and 1 teaspoon of virgin olive oil.
- Apply this paste on your skin and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Carrot reduces skin damage caused by UVA and UVB rays, while olive oil ensures moisturization and evens out your skin tone. If you’ve got a sunburn, consider adding yogurt instead of olive oil to this mask.
# Relieves An Oily Scalp
Considering the fact that fuller’s earth is the ideal ingredient against oily skin, it should come as no surprise that it also eliminates excessive oil from scalp. In fact, the earliest varieties of dry shampoo contained fuller’s earth. It soaks up any excess oil and reduces greasiness.
Fuller’s Earth And Soapnut Hair Cleanser- Soak fuller’s earth in a bowl of cold water for 3 hours.
- Add 1–2 teaspoons of soap nut powder in the fuller’s earth mixture.
- After 30 minutes, massage the mixture into your scalp for 5–10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.