Rhassoul
Other Names : Ghassoul Clay, Red Clay Red Moroccan Clay
Rhassoul, "powder which washes" in Arabic is a natural mineral clay mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco since the eighth century. It has been used for centuries by North African women for its purifying, softening and clarifying properties.
Rhassoul contains a large quantity of natural foaming saponins. Its great softness makes it a clay that can be used for skin and hair. The protective film of the skin and the natural sheath of the hair are preserved.
Special Precautions of Rhassoul
- Rhassoul clay has a higher pH than the natural pH of hair. This can be an advantage if you want to raise the hair cuticle in order for product to penetrate your hair core in case of low porosity hair. I find that adding Apple cider vinegar brings the pH down a bit and leaves hair smoother than without Apple cider vinegar.
- Not good for chemically dyed hair because the chemicals in the hair dye tends to react with the minerals in Rhassoul clay thereby tarnishing your color. This might not be what you want.
- Rhassoul clay dries up very quickly and if left to dry on the hair, this may cause breakage. Make sure the paste is very runny and add more water to the hair so that it does not dry up while conditioning the hair. You can also cover with a plastic cap so that it does not dry out.
- Rhassoul does not replace shampoo, but can be used on greasy hair twice a week, and once a week on dry hair. It will not affect the color of dyed hair.
Health Benefits and uses of Rhassoul
Rhassoul is hyped as a beauty clay because of its high content of Silica (58%). Silica as I found out helps strengthen hair and gives it shine while increasing the scalp’s moisture and resilience. Rhassoul clay also has magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, lithium and other trace minerals beneficial to our skin, hair and general health.
- Skin (Face and Body):
- Absorbs dirt, dead cells and excess sebum without damaging the hydrolipidic protective film. Because of its ability to swell up when water is added and the fact that it is negatively charged (anion) while most impurities are positively charged, Rhassoul clay draws impurities from the hair and skin thereby cleansing it and unblocking the scalp pores for healthier hair.
- Eliminates imperfections, including blackheads
- Tightens dilated pores
- softens and gives the skin a glow
- Helps relieve symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
- For hair and scalp
- Acts as a natural shampoo, degreasing and ridding the hair of any impurities without however attacking them and damaging
- Protects the hair by giving it more strength, strength
- Restores suppleness and shine, hair is easy to untangle and more silky
- Regenerates the scalp, removes dandruff and itchiness
References
- "Rhassoul hair mask | Moroccan Hammam Natural Beauty Care". Moroccan Hammam. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
- http://naturalsisters.co.za/2014/11/rhassoul-clay-benefits-and-side-effects/
