The Ashmira Botanica skincare range focuses on unblocking stale, sluggish energy, balancing elements and leaving you refreshed, uplifted, and glowing from within. With these goals in mind, a key feature of our range is clay powder. Our clay powders, when mixed with our Organic Rose Hydrosol and our elemental elixirs, exfoliate and deeply cleanse imparting radiance on the skin.
A variety of natural ingredients would mix with clay powders to impart their own unique benefits. We’ve compiled some of our favourite ideas, although of course we still recommend trying the powders with our elixirs first!
What are the Benefits of Clay?
Clay is a powerful skin food. It remineralises and exfoliates the skin, leaving tired, and dull complexions glowing, refreshed and radiant.
It is also one hundred percent natural, made of naturally occurring mineral-rich elements. You also have control of what you add to it, meaning there’s no chance of extra chemicals or unknown ingredients sneaking in.
It is also often associated with healing properties. This is why it has been so popular throughout history. It has an alkaline rate of 8.5 to 10 and a high mineral content. Clay offers a highly effective cleansing.
The drawing properties of clay also work to draw impurities, minerals and dirt from your skin. This provides a natural and effective detox.
Our Clays
The Ashmira Botanica skincare range uses the ancient philosophies of Chinese medicine. The Five Element Theory is the basis for many of our products. The Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Each of these elements has an associated clay.
Wood-Green Clay
Composed of iron oxides and kelp seaweed. Rich in minerals, it is one of the most absorbent of our cosmetic clays. It helps to absorb impurities and excess oil. This will leave your skin clear, smooth, and hydrated.
Fire-Red Clay
Cleopatra was the first woman to be seduced by red clay. It is naturally rich in trace elements and mineral salts. Because of this it gently cleanses the skin and brightens sensitive, dry, and tired skin. 
Earth-Yellow Clay
Yellow clay has invigorating, smoothing and exfoliating properties. Naturally rich in iron, minerals, and trace elements it will leave your skin looking softer and brighter.
Water-White Clay
Rich in minerals and trace elements, this is a favourite amongst clay lovers. It is soft and gentle making it perfect for all skin types and can brighten and illuminate even the dullest of complexions.
Metal-Black Clay
Black Clay helps detoxify the skin and draw out impurities. It helps to renew and smooth the skin leaving it refreshed and luminous.
Five unique ingredients to mix with your clay:
Yoghurt:
Best For: Dry skin, anti-aging
Yoghurt contains lactic acid. Lactic acid dissolves dead skin cells, which means it works particularly well as an ingredient in Anti-Aging Masks, as it diminishes the look of lines and wrinkles. Yoghurt also adds hydration, meaning it is particularly good for dry skin.
Pureed Banana
Best For: Acne/blemish prone skin
Many areas of health and beauty use banana. As an ingredient in a mask, the Vitamin C and magnesium in banana can increase hydration. Folic acid and other vitamins also make banana great for soothing acne and blemishes.
Ground Oatmeal
Best For: Sensitive Skin
Ground oatmeal works really well to soothe skin. It is a common treatment for skin conditions like eczema. To a mask, oatmeal can be added along with a liquid such as coconut or almond milk to produce a lovely, soothing experience.
Green Tea
Best For: Acne and blemishes
Green tea can be used in many different forms, but when left to cool works well as a liquid added to clay powder. The antioxidants in green tea help prevent cell damage and will also soothe inflamed skin and help with acne and blemishes.
Honey
Best For: Dry Skin
Honey, especially manuka honey, is used to balance the ph. of your skin, hydrate, and work as an anti-inflammatory. Honey is also a great ingredient to add hydration, as well as soothing and cleansing.
