Benefits of Multani Mitti for Skin and Hair

Benefits of Multani Mitti for Skin and Hair Today, various types of clay are widely used in cosmetics, primarily because of their absorbent properties. Kaolin, also known as white clay, is one of the most popular cosmetic clays, but it is not the only one. Indian women have used a type of clay known as “multani mitti” to take care of their skin and hair for a long time. What are the benefits of multani mitti?

Multani mitti is the Indian name of the clay material generally known as fuller’s earth. The English name reflects the historic use of the clay for “fulling” (cleansing) wool by textile workers called “fullers”. They kneaded clay and water into woollen cloth to absorb greasy impurities. Fulling also whitened cloth, so fuller’s earth is also known as bleaching clay.

Fuller’s earth is known for its strong absorbent properties. Its composition depends on the locality where it is mined, but common components include kaolinite, montmorillonite and attapulgite. In some localities multani mitti contains altered volcanic ash. Minerals that can be found in this type of clay usually include hydrous aluminium silicates, silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and calcium oxide.

Although fuller’s earth deposits can be found in more than 20 states (the largest producer of fuller’s earth is the United States, followed by Japan and Mexico), India probably is the only country where it is widely used as a cosmetic product. Multani mitti has proven to be an effective skin and hair care product in India’s warm and wet climate. It is mentioned in many Ayurvedic recipes, some of which are hundreds of years old.

To be used as a cosmetic product, multani mitti is dried and powdered. Due to its pronounced absorbent properties, multani mitti powder was originally used as a cleaning agent and dry shampoo. It was even used to clean the Taj Mahal! Today, multani mitti is also used as an ingredient in natural hair and face masks, creams, balms, and other personal care products based on Ayurvedic recipes.

Benefits of Multani Mitti for Skin

As we’ve already mentioned above, multani mitti is valued for its strong absorbent properties. Therefore its perfect for taking care of oily and problem skin. It helps to combat acne, prevents oily shine, unclogs and tightens pores, whitens the skin, and makes it smoother by exfoliating dead skin cells. Multani mitti excellently cleanses the skin, removing dirt, oil and grime and leaving it feeling soft and radiant.

All you need to do to use multani mitti as a skincare product is mix a small amount of clay powder with water, herbal tea or hydrolate (floral water) and stir well to obtain a smooth, creamy mixture. Then apply the mixture on slightly damp skin and leave it on until it’s completely dried. Then rinse the clay off wit clean water without using soap or facial cleansers.

To complement and enhance the effect of multani mitti, you can make DIY facial masks by mixing it with vegetable and essential oils, herbal extracts and other natural ingredients, For example, multani mitti is often combined with neem extract which is known for strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and helps multani mitti to take care of problem skin.

Benefits of Multani Mitti for Hair

As a hair care product, fuller’s earth is valued for its ability to effectively absorb excess sebum, dirt and grime. It gently cleanses the hair and scalp without drying them out and normalises sebum secretion, preventing oily and greasy hair. Besides, multani mitti takes good care of dull, weak, thin and brittle care, restoring its natural strength, elasticity, flexibility and healthy shine.

You can use fuller’s earth in DIY hair masks, combining it with vegetable and/or essential oils, herbal extracts, dried and powdered medicinal herbs, and even eggs or dairy products. The ingredients depend on the effect you want to achieve. Multani mitti is most effective when combined with Ayurvedic herbs such as manjishta (Indian madder). They help to make the hair stronger, smoother and shinier.

You can also use multani mitti as a dry shampoo when you don’t have enough time to wash your hair and need it to look fresh. Separate your hair into sections, apply some clay powder to hair roots section by section, leave it on for 10–20 minutes, allowing the clay to absorb dirt and excess sebum, and then brush your hair thoroughly until all the clay is gone.