RELATED: Why Mud Baths Are Oh-So-Good For You
Getting Started With A Homemade Mud Bath
Before you get started on your path toward mud bath vitality, cleansed pores, reduced cellulite and pain relief, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Making your own mud bath does not entail simply mixing backyard dirt and water. In order to achieve the full health effects of the mud soak or encasement, you need to find nutrient and mineral-rich mud, clay or peat, which you can find in most beauty stores or online.
- Mud baths can be messy, so be aware that it may clog your drain — especially if the dirt is grainy. You can use a screen to prevent this from happening.
- The best way to achieve maximum results is by slathering the mud all over your skin, waiting 20 minutes, and then soaking for 10 minutes in warm water before thoroughly rinsing. Alternatively, you can prepare a mud bath in which you fill a basin or other holding device with your mud mixture, soak the desired body parts in the mixture for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Following either method, apply oil to your body to seal in the moisture and keep your skin feeling ultra smooth.
- If you choose to apply the mud to your skin rather than soaking, you can fashion a homemade spa table out of pillows covered by a sheet, large towels or any other disposable or easily washable material. Be sure to set this up prior to your mud application.
Mud Bath #1: Clay with Apple Cider Vinegar
Ingredients: Equal parts clay (for example Fuller's Earth clay) with equal parts apple cider vinegar. You can substitute water for the vinegar if you’re making a large amount of the mud mixture.
Directions: Mix the two ingredients together until smooth. Try to avoid using metal bowls and spoons, as it can interfere with the healing powers of the mixture. Slather on your feet or all over your body, lay on your homemade spa table and relax for 20 minutes (maybe a bit less if you’re doing a mud facial). Hop in a warm bath and soak for 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinse.
Mud Bath #2: Clay, Avocado and Oil
Ingredients: Equal parts clay (for example Dead Sea Mud Mask) and mashed avocado, plus as much coconut oil to give the clay the consistency you want.
Directions: Mix the clay and mashed avocado together until smooth. Start adding coconut oil until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. You can add water if you’d prefer the mud be especially wet. Try to avoid using metal bowls and spoons, as it can interfere with the healing powers of the substance. Apply to your feet or all over your body, lay on your homemade spa table and relax for 20 minutes (less if applying to the face) and then thoroughly rinse in a warm bath or shower.
Mud Bath #3: Potting Soil and Milk Powder
Ingredients: Equal parts potting soil and milk powder, plus enough water to achieve your desired consistency.
Directions: Mix the potting soil and milk powder together. Slowly start adding water until the concoction reaches the consistency you desire. Avoid using metal bowls and spoons, as it can interfere with the healing powers of the mixture. Slather on your feet or all over your body, lay on your homemade spa table and relax for 20 minutes (a bit less if using on the face) and then rinse thoroughly with warm water in the shower or bath tub.
Mud Bath #4: Bentonite Clay and Aloe Vera
Ingredients: Equal parts bentonite clay (for example, Aztec Secrets Bentonite Clay) and fresh aloe vera gel.
Directions: Mix the two ingredients together, thinning with a small amount of water if desired. Do not use metal bowls and spoons, as they can interfere with the healing powers of the concoction. Apply to your feet or all over your body, lay on your homemade spa table and relax for 20 minutes (less if applying to the face) and rise with warm water.
Mud Bath #5: Pink and Rosy
Ingredients: 1 cup of pink clay (such as Nature’s Oil Rose Kaolin Clay), 2 cups of rosewater, several drops essential oil of your choice. (You can double, triple and even quadruple these proportions to make more mud, and you can substitute regular water for rose water.)
Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together until smooth. Again, try not to use metal bowls and spoons, as it can interfere with the healing powers of the substance. Apply on your feet or all over your body, lay on your homemade spa table and relax for 20 minutes (less if using on the face) and rinse with warm water in either the shower or the bath tub.
Mud Bath #6: Faux Mud
If you love the idea of a healing mud bath but don’t love the idea of squishing around in the "filthy" substance like pigs, then perhaps you might like to try a faux mud mixture. It can give you similar skin-softening benefits as its original counterpart, but keep in mind that it will not have the same detoxifying and healing benefits that real, mineral-rich mud can provide.
Ingredients: 1 part milk to 2 parts chocolate powder, a dash of vanilla.
Directions: Mix the ingredients together until smooth, adding as much warm water as you need to reach your desired consistency. You can use metal bowls and spoons for this mixture, because it’s a faux mud bath and won’t interfere with any healing powers. Apply to the skin, allow it to moisturize for 20 minutes and then rinse.
For an added spa-like therapeutic treat during application of any of the above mud baths, try lighting aromatherapy candles and playing soft music while you mix, apply and enjoy the healing, anti-inflammatory benefits of your desired mud concoction.