Dead Sea Mud - Glow Your Skin Naturally
Despite
years of research on the unique minerals in the Dead Sea's water and
mud, scientists still do not have the answer as to why this special Dead
Sea mud, from the lowest place on earth, is so beneficial for the skin
and body. Yet even without a definitive scientifically based answer,
hundreds of clinical trials conducted in hospitals worldwide on a range
of medical problems including skin diseases, arthritis, and even cancer
in patients undergoing chemotherapy, have shown that the high
concentration of Dead Sea minerals is almost instantly effective in
improving the skin's natural processes, easing rheumatic pains, relaxing
muscles and providing inner calmness and tranquility.
The
black mud harvested from the banks of the Dead Sea is in fact alluvial
silt washed down from the surrounding mountains and deposited on the
shores of this inland salt sea. Layer upon layer of fine silt deposits
have evolved over thousands of years to form a rich Dead Sea mud
containing particularly high levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium,
strontium, boron and iron. The resulting mineral-rich Dead Sea mud is a
natural raw material that can be used by the body as a source of
essential minerals for all its basic needs.
Body Wraps:
Professional
therapists in luxury spas around the world use the classic treatment of
wrapping the body in warm, mineral rich mud from the Dead Sea. This
results in visible toning, relieving muscle pain, moisturizing and
restoring a healthy rosy glow to the skin and improving its elasticity.
The
minerals contained within the Dead Sea mud have many beneficial effects
on the skin and the body. Among other things, they help maintain
moisture levels, increase blood flow to the capillaries and act as
anti–oxidants. Enveloping the body in Dead Sea mud forms a sealing layer
over the skin that helps infuse it with the minerals, cleansing and
purifying it efficiently and restoring its natural balance. When the
evaporation of moisture is decreased by sealing the skin with a layer of
Dead Sea mud, its internal moisture levels increase, giving the skin a
kind of 'energy boost' resulting in a radiant appearance, with a healthy
rosy tone and a soft and supple feel. As this mineral-rich Dead Sea mud
is a naturally healthy product, it can be recommended for weekly
body-care regimes.
Professional
methods can be followed at home by applying it liberally to the whole
body and then relaxing for half-an-hour. The Dead Sea mud is then
thoroughly washed off with warm water, and the treatment is completed by
massaging body butter or moisturizer.
Facial Mask:
Dead
sea mud can be used as facial mask that works to thoroughly cleanse the
facial skin, hydrates and soothes it, removes dead skin, helps absorb
excess oily secretions and clarify the skin.
The
purifying face mask creates a delicate exfoliating effect, which helps
remove toxins and dead skin cells and encourages the skin regeneration
process. This smooths the skin's outer layer and creates a sense of
softness, well-being and relaxation.
Skin
care using the Dead Sea mud mask is suitable for all skin types, but is
especially effective for skin suffering from a functional imbalance.
For example, with skin suffering from excess oils, the mask balances and
calms typical irritation and redness. Applying the mask two or three
times a week will generate healthy, radiant skin with a smooth matte
finish.
Preparing the Face for Dead Sea Mud
1. Wash your face. Before you apply the Dead Sea mud to your face, clean your face thoroughly with water and open your pores with a warm cloth.
Remove
any makeup or grease that’s on your face. Use your regular cleanser or
makeup remover. Then, put a washcloth in hot water and wring it out.
Place the washcloth on your face, and gently use it to wipe your skin. You want it to feel warm but not too hot.
Leave
the cloth on your face until it cools down, which should take about
half a minute. The warmth of the cloth should open your pores.
2. Mix The Mud Mask Together. The
Dead Sea mud mask is often mixed together with other oils for increased
softness of the skin. The mud may arrive with some salty sea water on
the top. Stir it back together if you see that.
Take a small bowl, and apply 1 teaspoon of Dead Sea mud to it. Remember that you don’t need very much of it for each mask.
Apply
various oils to the mud. The most commonly used oils are myrrh
essential oil, frankincense essential oil, and rose Otto essential oil.
The mud minimizes pores and is said to reduce wrinkles!
Use
2-4 drops of the myrrh oil and 2 drops of the frankincense oil. The
rose Otto oil is optional. Mix the concoction together with a spoon.
3. Moisturize Your Eyes.
It’s important to moisturize your eyes before applying the Dead Sea
mask. That’s because the skin around your eyes is thinner and more
delicate.
Take a couple
drops of a natural oil like coconut or olive oil, and apply it gently to
the skin around your eyes. Be careful not to get it in your eyes.
You will naturally apply the oil more gently if you use your ring fingers when touching the area around your eyes.
Take
care not to press too hard on the eye area as it’s sensitive. The oil
will also protect your eyes when the mask is applied. Also, avoid
getting the mud around or in your eyes but also avoid areas of the face
that you regularly wax.
Applying the Dead Sea Mud to Your Face
1. Apply a mud mask.
Dead Sea mud can be purchased in a jar. It’s not a dry, powder-like
beauty clay. Rather, it’s a moist and fairly thick clay-like mud. It
also comes in powder form; add water and mix in that case.
The
mud doesn’t spoil because of the germicide that’s added to it. Start by
applying the mud to your face using your fingers. Remember to apply it
in a thin layer.
Use small circular
movements to apply the mud mask to your face. Be very careful to avoid
getting it in the area of your eyes. Try not to get the mud in your
hair. Use upward motions to apply the mud.
Skipping
the eye area, apply the mud thinly and uniformly throughout your entire
face, including underneath your chin. If you have a breakout on any
area of your skin, also skip that part.
2. Let the mud dry naturally.
Let the mud dry naturally on your face. This should take about 12-15
minutes. If the mud takes a lot longer to dry, then you’ve probably
slathered it on too thick. It’s best to sit up while it dries, but if
you do lie down, rest your head on a towel.
The
mud should remove impurities from your skin, detoxify it, and cleanse
it. Your skin should feel softer and more elastic after the mud has been
applied and then removed. It should look brighter.
Remove
the mask right away if your skin starts to itch at any point. Some
people have had allergic reactions to Dead Sea mud. The mud will tighten
pores, remove excess skin oil, and the salt in it should get rid of any
surface bacteria which lowers the number of breakouts you could get.
It’s
natural for your skin to feel a little tingly as the mask starts to
dry. Don’t worry about it unless you feel a stronger burning sensation.
3. Rinse off the mud. Once the mud has dried, it’s time to remove it from your skin. This shouldn’t be very difficult to do.
Use
warm water to rinse the mud from your skin like you would any other
mask. It may take some time rinsing the face to remove all the mud.
Try
using a clean washcloth to help you wipe the mud off your face. Dry
your face by patting it down with a towel or other clean cloth.
Apply
a moisturizer to your face. Coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer,
but any moisturizer you regularly use would do. Use the Dead Sea mask
weekly.
You can buy Dead Sea mud through
some specialty beauty stores and through many online sites. The
Egyptians used balms made from the water of the Dead Sea for their
mummification process; today you can also find Dead Sea products in the
most exclusive spas around the world. However, it's no more expensive
than most designer skin lotions if you purchase it online.
Using the Mud for Other Health and Beauty Purposes
1. Make a body mask.
Dead Sea mud isn’t only used to make your face softer; you can also use
it to reduce joint and muscle pain. Dead Sea mud has 26 minerals in it!
Mix
¼ cup of the mud with 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 2 drops of
rosemary essential oil, and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil. In this
case, heat the mud by putting the mud over a pan of steaming water. You
want it to be a little bit higher than body temperature.
Smear
the warmed up mud on any muscles or joints that are hurting. Massage
the mud into the areas, let the mask dry, and then wash it off with warm
water just as you would your face.
Apply
the mud to your knees, elbows or other joints that are afflicted with
osteoarthritis. This mineral-rich mud pack has been proven by
researchers at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel to
reduce inflammation in the joints.
2. Put Dead Sea mud in your hair.
The mineral-rich mud has many purposes. One of them is to increase the
health of your hair. The mud will also reduce the chances that you will
have dandruff, and it’s going to increase the shine in your hair.Start
by massaging the mud into your scalp. Work it throughout all of your
hair.Let the mask remain in your hair for about 20 minutes so that your
hair gains the fuller benefit of the many minerals in the mask.Rinse
your hair thoroughly with water as you would rinse out shampoo. It may
take a few attempts before you fully remove the mud from your hair.
3. Treat eczema and psoriasis.
The Dead Sea mud will do more than increase your skin's softness; it
also can be used to help people with more serious skin issues. People
who suffer with dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
find that the application of Dead Sea mud to afflicted areas not only
reduces swelling, but it takes the heat out of inflammations.The Dead
Sea mud also vastly reduces the itching, making it an effective holistic
treatment for these ailments. Apply the Dead Sea mud like you would
apply it for facial beauty purposes. Some people also believe the
minerals in the mud can help cancer patients and those undergoing
chemotherapy, but this is not proven. Check with your doctor first.