I’m always on the lookout for all natural health and beauty products. This frustrates my friend J. whose response to this new obsession with going back to natural health remedies is “Science and research matters!”

The other day I was at Holt Renfrew picking up a birthday gift when I drifted over to a display of deodorants, I curiously picked one up for a quick whiff because it was “all natural.”

I think I may have blinked a little too hard when I saw the price because a saleswoman walked up to me and said “It contains no aluminum or other harmful ingredients” I look at her still unconvinced thinking… Yeah, but is it worth the $30 you want for it? She senses my hesitation and dismisses me with “Yeah well, it’s for women who do not want to get breast cancer.”

I found it hilarious that she’ll try to scare me into buying an expensive deodorant but it also underlined the reason why we’re scampering back to “naturals”

Bentonite Clay has been used in Central Africa, the Andes and Australia for centuries. I only discovered this clay a couple of months ago while researching natural black hair care.

It comes from volcanic ash and is often used in facial masks because of its ability to absorb excess oil and dirt from the skin.

It can also be used internally for detoxification, when taken internally “acts as a sponge to bind and eliminate non nutritive and harmful substances from the colon.” It’s a great multipurpose clay.

I’ve been using Bentonite clay now for several months, for facial masks, in my soap and also to clean my hair.

The brand I buy is primarily marketed as a facial clay, it claims to be the “world’s most powerful facial” and promises deep pore cleansing.

I get breakouts sometimes when I henna my hair and the clay helps clear up all blemishes quickly.

For facials, I follow the instructions on the product, I mix a bit of clay with raw apple cider vinegar and apply it liberally to my face, I let it dry for a few minutes or until I feel it pulsating (yes, you feel your face pulsating when it dries), and then wash my face with warm water. After that my face feels soft and smooth; it’s worth using it just for that feeling.

For hair cleansing, I tweak the recipe a little by mixing apple cider, water, honey, a bit marshmallow root powder (for slip) and rice bran oil. I slather it on to my unwashed dry hair, leave it in for a few hours, wash it out and follow it up with conditioner.

It clarifies my hair without stripping it; my hair usually comes out feeling clean, soft and very moisturized.

I can’t get the Aztec Indian Healing Clay in Vancouver. I get mine from across the border, Whole Foods has it for around $8.00USD for the 1lb powder, a little goes a long way because it expands to almost double when mixed with water.

It’s become quite the staple in my beauty arsenal; it’s one of those products that does just what it’s supposed to do.

It’s all natural, has no addictives, no fragrances or animal products.