The prehistoric challenge
Can we survive for seven days washing hair and body with nothing but Moroccan Rhassoul Clay?
Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, found in only one place in the world, has been prized since Antiquity for its outstanding ability to cleanse, nourish and condition the skin and hair. The claim is that it’s beneficial on (take a breath now) psoriasis, eczema, acne, dry or oily patches, sensitive skin – and any other type of skin, dandruff, fine hair, thinning hair and ideal for everyday and luxury use.
Sounds almost too good to be true doesn’t it? So when the people at Natural Spa Supplies challenged me to wash my hair and body with nothing else for seven days, making 100 grams last the distance, it was my opportunity to see if it was.
Day one
Must read instructions. On the whole, I’ve never had any patience with instructions, preferring to dive in and hope for the best, but I owe it to you, dear reader, to do this properly. I mix it up with 140ml of warm water in a ceramic bowl with a wooden spoon – I don’t use metal because, apparently, ’this will disturb the important electrical charge of the clay’.
The colour of hot chocolate and the texture of silt, it looks way too dirty to get me clean. Undeterred, I scoop some up into a little bowl and carry it high, like a trophy, into the shower.
I dip my hand in and the brown stuff dribbles defiantly through my fingers – note to self: use less water next time. I spread it under my arms quickly before the whole lot disappears down the plughole. Feels quite nice actually. It has a very fine, gently exfoliating powdery consistency and a subtle smell that reminds me of my school pottery lessons. I spread it all over my face and body, leaving it on for a while to release the ‘deoderising’ action.
When the job is done and I am dry and dressed, I am amazed at how clean and soft my skin is. This grubby-looking stuff really has done the job.
Day two
Despite yesterday’s success, I enter the bathroom with some trepidation. My hair needs a wash and using the clay to do it is in my challenge rule book. The good news is, the clay isn’t nearly so runny today having dried out a bit overnight.
In the shower, I scoop up handfuls and plonk them onto my head. It feels like I’m playing some sort of slapstick practical joke on myself. I try to rub it through my hair, but, because it doesn’t lather, this is hard work and I have to use loads – will my ration last? It rinses off easily. I finish off by washing the rest of my body, just like yesterday. Today it’s easier because the texture is drier and easier to handle.
When it’s dry, my prone-to-greasiness hair is definitely clean if a little static. I am amazed that something that produces no lather can remove oil so effectively.
Day three
I’m using the clay as a facepack today, as well as the usual. This use is perhaps what clay is most famous for, apart from making pots, obviously. I’m still keeping it in an open bowl so it’s even drier today than yesterday. Just right for spreading all over. I do so at the beginning of the shower, looking like the creature from the black lagoon for the duration.
The mixture has dried to a crust by the end but comes off easily. The result is wonderfully clean, soft skin, and I think, after washing my face with nothing else, morning and night for three days, it’s clearer as well.
Day four
It’s hair washing day again. I do the usual and, although my hair feels clean, my scalp is not totally dandruff free. I wonder if this is down to not using enough of it. It’s really hard to effectively spread and massage all over my scalp.
By the evening, my open bowl of clay is cracking into segments. I take a lump, wet it and rub it on to my face, just like soap. Works a treat, but, like every other day of the challenge, I do need to use another product to take off my eye make up.
Day five
Oh dear. Foolishly I thought that, once it dried out, I could rehydrate it. A drought has occurred in my bowl, creating a mosaic of hard muddy diamonds. No amount of water will make it useable. Hot tip girls – once it reaches the consistency you want, put it in an airtight bowl, or mix up a fresh portion every day.
The verdict
Despite a premature end to the challenge, five days of prehistoric cleansing has left my complexion wonderfully soft and clear. The ration I was given would have lasted and, as far as I am aware, I don’t smell bad. Overall, the experience has been very satisfying and I am certainly tempted by the idea of ridding my bathroom of a large proportion of its bottled paraphenalia. In reality, I think I need something with a bit of lathering muscle for my hair. But the Rhassoul Clay will become a permanent fixture on the shelf. I will use it on my face and, when I have time on my hands, I will wallow in it once more.
Rhassoul Clay is available from www.naturalspasupplies.co.uk Prices start at £5 for 100g
Thank you so much for doing the challenge! I’m glad you found it so effective. I use rhassoul all the time for all my washing and tend to mix it up for a few days at a time. I keep mine the right consistency in a little clay pot with a lid.
I have long hair and I am now using the Moroccan hammam method for washing my hair. I make the rhassoul into a pouring consistency – like a milkshake, wet my hair and pour the whole lot over my hair. I spend some time massaging my scalp (adding a little more water by hand if necessary) to get rid of any flaky skin, then comb the clay down the shaft of the hair, leave it for a minute or two and finally rinse really well. I have been using it for one and a half years now and it works every time, never producing any build up.
When I use it as a face mask, I keep it damp either with a fine wet cloth or using a spray mister, though I often apply it in the bath were there sufficient steam to keep it going for longer.
Sometimes I mix up the clay with floral water (rose) and garden herbs (lavender, thyme), and sometimes add essential oils or salt. I expect your readers will be able to come up some great clay cosmetic recipes?