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The Dirt On Mud
by Louise Forrest
 
The craze at many fancy spas is the “mud bath”, and at many cosmetics counters and natural beauty product stores you will find various items containing mud, like soaps, masks, and creams. However, just what can be found in these products? Are there any benefits to using this natural substance for beauty and health purposes? And is using mud something you should consider?


What can be found in “mud”?

That is a good question, and something that should be asked by anyone who plans to use mud for beauty purposes. Mud can be totally different from one location to the next. Some muds have been tested and found to offer many beneficial side effects, while other types of muds have high levels of mineral deposits. Some muds are known for their ability to break up cellulite, so are used in various slimming treatments, while others are used for general muscle relaxation and stress minimization. It is important as a consumer to ask about what kind of “mud” is in the treatment you choose and just why it will be beneficial in your case.

In many cosmetic mud products, such as the soaps, creams and masks, you will find ingredients like various clays, minerals, and an astringent. These products are good for absorbing excess oils on the skin, making them beneficial to anyone with an oily complexion. However, if your skin is known to be dry to begin with, mud products may not be the best thing for you to use. Most of these products will contain other natural ingredients, so it is best to do patch testing on your skin before full use. This will determine if any allergy to the product may exist for you.

In mud baths, the content of the mud being used varies greatly. Some

Spas use peat in their mud baths, which is carbonized vegetable matter. Others offer mud from the Dead Sea, while others actually use volcanic ash. When you are booking a spa vacation, and plan to pamper yourself with a mud bath, ask about what they use and what benefits their particular “mud” is supposed to offer you.


What are the benefits to using “mud”?

Although research is not conclusive on many of the health benefits offered by mud, the overall consensus is that this substance is beneficial for many. Some of the known benefits of mud are:
 
When you allow mud to dry on the skin, it can draw out heat and reduce inflammation. This is a therapeutic reason to use mud for various injuries, like stings and burns.
Daily mud packs or sulphur baths can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Mud baths can promote physical and mental relaxation.
 
Some of the claimed benefits of mud are:
 
That mud can help with the treatment of psoriasis.
That thermal mud can benefit those with dry, flaking skin.
That mud can help draw toxins from the body.
That mud can clear up skin eruptions.
That mud can help with cellulite reduction.
That mud can boost the immune system and allow for faster healing.
That mud can help reduce pain and the need for pain relievers.
 

Should you consider using “mud”?

When looking at home products containing mud, there should be no problems. So long as you are not allergic to any ingredients in the soaps, creams or masks, you can use them as long as you are seeing benefits. Try out various products containing mud to see just which ones work best for you.

However, when looking at mud baths at Spa resorts and vacation getaways, a word of warning: the mud is not changed before every person receiving a treatment! This can be a health risk if the person before you happened to have a skin disease. When booking a mud bath, be sure to make it at a time when you will be lounging in “clean” muddy comfort.