Dead Sea Mud Facial

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
August 8, 2000

The special conditions of the Dead Sea have created an abundant and extraordinary source of minerals, mud and water. The Dead Sea, which is actually a lake, is situated between Israel and Jordan, 1,300 feet below sea level, at the lowest place on earth. It is protected from pollution by its location in the middle of the desert, far from any industry or cities. The Jordan River, beginning at the Sea of Galilee, feeds into the Dead Sea, along with various local mineral springs.
Many natural sediments of minerals are deposited into the Dead Sea, where they accumulate over the years. The mud's high concentrations of magnesium, calcium chlorides, potassium and salts offer the skin a treatment that's both healthy and beautifying. Today, you can purchase Dead Sea mud for use at home.

How Minerals Benefit The Skin
Our skin cells depend on minerals for metabolism; without them, cells cannot synthesize nutrients for maintenance and growth. Minerals help cells absorb and utilize the moisture that keeps skin smooth, soft and resilient, even as we age. A well-balanced moisture content slows down the skin's aging, making it less vulnerable to damaging influences. These are all benefits that Dead Sea mud can help to provide. Dead Sea mud with its mineral wealth enriches many cleansers, toners and shampoos. You can enrich your own skin at home with a spa-worthy Dead Sea mud facial.

Application:
Place several teaspoons of mud grains in a dish, gradually add water and stir until a soft paste is formed. Spread thinly on clean skin. Let it dry; then rinse your skin.

Consider your skin type
Because of its mineral and salt content, Dead Sea mud affects each skin type differently. If you have oily skin, you can use it up to three times a week; for dry skin, no more than once a week; for normal skin, up to twice a week. Dead Sea mud is simple to apply, covers the skin nicely and can be easily rinsed off. Your skin will become accustomed to the mud's stimulating ingredients - most notably iodine, magnesium and bromide. You can also apply heated mud to relieve morning stiffness or joint inflammation.

For a mud mask
Applied to the entire body or just to the face, Dead Sea mud opens clogged pores and is deep-cleaning and invigorating. It stimulates and tightens your skin, leaving it refreshed.

For an Exfoliant
Apply a mask to scaly, dry parts of the body, such as knees or elbows. The dead skin will rinse off with the mask, leaving your skin moisturized and smooth.

For healthy hair
Dead Sea mud applied to your hair strengthens the roots and cleans the scalp of dandruff and oils. Your hair will be thoroughly cleansed and conditioned, soft and shiny, tangle-free and full of body. Apply as you would a mask; let sit for 30 minutes; then rinse thoroughly.
Mark Antony once conquered the Dead Sea area for Cleopatra, who knew of its value for use in cosmetics, perfumes and medicinal substances.

Mud Facial
As skin cells are constantly being replaced, dead cells accumulate and slow down normal epidermal functions. The regular use of a mud mask removes dead cells, stimulates circulation of blood in your face and brings oxygen and other essential nutrients to the skin. Using a mud mask once a week to hydrate and tone your skin is one way to encourage healthier skin. Of course, you could take a trip to a spa on the Dead Sea - but you can easily create your own mud facials, compresses or shampoos at home. More than 50 manufacturers offer products that contain Dead Sea mud and mineral salts.

Put ½ cup of Dead Sea mud in an unbreakable dish. Add warm water and stir until a soft paste forms.
Stir in 1 tbsp. of clover honey, aloe vera gel, or fresh lemon juice.
Add 1/2 tsp. of myrrh, chamomile or frankincense and add a few drops of essential oil of lavender.
If the mixture is too thin, try adding a little more mud; a mixture that's too thick may need more water.
Apply honey under the eyes. Dip some cotton balls into your favorite (cooled) herbal tea to place on your eyelids while you are relaxing during the treatment.
Apply the mask thinly to your face with very gentle strokes, moving the fingers away from the center of the face, except under the eyes; to cover that area, stroke from the outer cheekbones inward toward the nose. Once the mask is thoroughly spread over your face, massage your face gently.
Lie down in a comfortable place, or relax in a warm bath for 10-15 min. Place the herbal tea cotton balls on your eyes, or use a cooled silk eye-mask.
To remove the mud mask, hold a warm, wet washcloth over the mask to help it soften. You can then easily wash it off thoroughly with warm water.

Confidentiality Statement: (for anyone who does not respect copyright and/or is confused regarding this issue) The information, data and schematics embodied in the document are confidential and proprietary, being exclusively owned by Ellen J. Lord (aka Purpleflame or Firefly). This document is being supplied on understanding that it and its contents shall not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to others except as specifically permitted with the prior written consent of Ellen J. Lord. The recipient of this document, by its retention and use, agrees to protect the same from loss, theft, or unauthorized use.

Sources:
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D