Argiletz granulated green clay 3 kg: preparing it at home

Open a pack of granulated green clay and you will not find a bathroom-cabinet powder, but small, irregular pieces of dried earth in a greyish green. That is exactly what fans of home-made preparations like about it: a few hours resting in water are enough to produce a soft paste that is applied in a thick layer to the skin.

What is granulated green clay?

Green clay is one of the best-known clays in traditional skin care. In granulated form it is simply broken up after drying rather than ground into a fine powder.

According to the product sheet, this is a raw clay with granules of about 8 mm that can quickly be prepared as a poultice or plaster. The sheet also makes an important point: green clay must not be applied to open wounds. The 3 kg pack is aimed at people who use it regularly, on the face as well as the body.

Our druggist recommends it as a mask or external preparation, for traditional purifying skin care.

How to prepare it

Hydrating the granules

• Put the amount you need in a glass, ceramic or enamel container.
• Cover with room-temperature water, just above the level of the clay.
• Leave it to stand for one to several hours without stirring: the granules soak up the water and break down on their own.
• Then mix with a wooden spatula into an even paste. Add a little clay if it is too runny, a little water if it is too stiff.

As a mask or a plaster

• For a mask, spread the paste evenly over clean skin, avoiding the eyes, and rinse off with lukewarm water before it dries.
• For a plaster, spread a layer about one centimetre thick on a gauze pad or clean cloth and place it clay side down on the skin.
• Remove the clay before it hardens, then rinse and gently pat the skin dry.

Tradition has it that metal bowls and utensils are best avoided when preparing clay: a glass bowl and a wooden spoon do the job perfectly.

Precautions

Before you apply it. As the product sheet states, never apply green clay to an open wound. Test it on a small area of skin first, avoid contact with the eyes and do not leave the clay on until it is dry. Clay that has been used should not be reused. If in doubt, during pregnancy, for a child or if you are taking medication, ask for advice before use. Put leftovers in the bin, not down the sink, and keep the pack tightly closed, dry and out of the reach of children.

Our products

• Argiletz granulated green clay, 3 kg – read the documentation tab before your first preparation.
• Argiletz ultra-ventilated green clay, 300 g – the fine-powder version, ready to mix in seconds.

In short

Granulated green clay takes a little planning, but patience is rewarded with a generous paste, ideal for home-made masks and plasters. To choose between granules and powder, or to find out how thick a layer to apply, the team at Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains will gladly advise you in store.