Making Mud Pies

Do you remember when you were a kid and the days seemed to stretch endlessly in front of you. Back then television was something we watched for maybe an hour on Saturday morning to catch the new cartoons. Long hot summer days were spent running around our backyard from the pool to the swing set and back again. Most days we had a sun shower or two late in the afternoon that produced just enough rain for one of our other favorite activities: making mud pies. There's nothing like digging your little fingers into cool wet mud and creating masterpieces to present to your mom and dad who politely pretended to taste them and proclaim them the most amazing creations ever made! Then it was back to running through the sprinkler with a dash into the pool for good measure to wash away the remnants of our day's endeavors before going in for supper.

Now that I'm older I still like to play in the mud, only now the mud is clay. Sea clay, rose clay, cocoa clay, stark white kaolin; the list goes on and on. I've formulated with gorgeous mineral clays from around world including Australia, Israel, France and Morocco. They come in a dizzying array of colors and textures and are enriched with the mineral deposits indigenous to their homelands.

What can you do with clay, you ask? We use them in soaps for their cleansing, soothing and drawing powers. Body and facial masques are made moisturizing, astringent or soothing. Rose and white clays are best for mature or sensitive skin types while sea muds and green clays possess powerful drawing power to pull impurities from your skin.

To make a simple facial masque try this:

1 Tablespoon of Bentonite or Kaolin clay
Liquid of choice (water, honey, cream, yogurt or hydrosols are excellent choices)

Using enough liquid to make a paste, stir into clay until you reach the desired consistency. Using clean fingers or a facial brush spread the mixture over clean face avoiding eyes and mouth. Lie back and relax allowing the paste to work for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water until completely removed. Splash face with a cool water rinse, gently dry with a soft towel and apply your favorite moisturizer. Discard any remaining clay mixture. Your skin will feel incredibly soft and clean.

Even though the endless days of your youth may be behind you it's never too late to make time for yourself. So go ahead and make a mud pie, or better yet pamper your skin with a beneficial mud masque and regain that youthful glow.