What is Volcanic ash?
If you’re thinking back to history class when you learned about Mount Vesuvius’ eruption burying Pompeii in volcanic ash, you’re on the right track. That’s the same type of volcanic ash we’re talking about, but with a happier ending.
According to the Volcanic Ashfall Impacts Working Group, volcanic ash consists of fragments of rocks, minerals, and volcanic glass that form during explosive volcanic eruptions. In the beauty world, these particles serve as nature’s exfoliator.
“Volcanic ash is a combination of natural ingredients including bentonite clay and sulfur,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. “Its high mineral content gives it antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.”
Volcanic ash uses
“Volcanic ash is a rich mineral, an antioxidant and antibacterial exfoliant that helps to clarify the skin and make it more beautiful,” explains Anna Guanche, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Calabasas and Beverly Hills, California, whose celebrity clientele includes Rebecca Romijn, Alyssa Milano, and Brandi Glanville.
“It can be a wonderful ingredient for people with oily, irritated, acne-prone skin because it has a drying effect,” Guanche says.
She says it can also help calm inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis and can even deter dandruff.
Volcanic ash face mask
Does your face start to glisten with beads of oil mere minutes after a careful cleansing?
“Patients with oily, acne-prone skin can definitely benefit from incorporating volcanic ash into their skin care routine,” says Pierre. “You’ll experience decreased inflammation, decreased bacteria, decreased oil, and softer, smoother skin.”
Of course, there’s a fine line between reducing oil and turning your skin into the Sahara, so limit your use of products containing volcanic ash to no more than 3 times per week. You can experiment to see what gives you the biggest benefit while minimizing any drying side effects.
Ref: https://greatist.com/live/volcanic-ash#how-to-use
