Bentonite Clay for Acne: An Inside-Out Approach to Healthier Skin

By Liana Werner-Gray

If you've ever struggled with acne, you know it can affect so much more than your skin. A breakout can change how you feel when you look in the mirror, how confident you feel, and even how much makeup you want to wear.

I've been there. I've had acne and even had acne scars which are completely gone now. I'm going to tell you something that most doctors won't tell you, that acne comes from the inside… acne isn't simply dirty skin… an overload of toxins in the gut and liver, hormones, oil production, inflammation, stress, diet, and skincare can all play a role.

That's why I love an inside-out approach. It's what worked for me and every single one of my clients who has ever tried this for acne.

My acne protocol is simply this:

Live the Earth Diet lifestyle and eat as many organic Whole Foods as possible.
Do a 60 day liver and gut cleanse (includes drinking bentonite clay daily to purify your liver and gut)
Use bentonite clay topically on the acne

Bentonite clay has been the most important natural ingredient that has been part of my routine for the last 17 years.

What Is Bentonite Clay?

Bentonite is a naturally occurring clay formed from volcanic ash. It contains minerals such as montmorillonite, and its unique mineral structure gives it interesting properties.

One of those properties is adsorption—the ability for certain substances, including oils, to attach to the surface of the clay.

That is one reason clay has been used in skincare for generations.

One of the clays I've personally used for years is Redmond Clay, which comes from a natural clay deposit in Utah.

Why I Love Bentonite Clay for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne can involve excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation, and changes within the hair follicles and skin microbiome.

Bentonite clay isn't a cure for acne, and I don't believe there is one ingredient that can solve every skin issue.

But I love it as a simple natural treatment for skin that feels oily or congested.

It Helps With Excess Oil

Bentonite clay can interact with oils on the surface of the skin, which is why a clay mask can leave oily or combination skin feeling cleaner and less greasy.

It doesn't permanently stop your skin from producing oil. Instead, it can help remove excess oil from the skin as part of a cleansing routine.

It Can Help With Congested Skin

Blackheads and whiteheads can form when oil and dead skin cells build up inside pores.

A clay mask can be a simple way to give congested skin a deeper cleanse without harsh scrubbing.

And this is something I really believe in: acne-prone skin does not need to be punished.

You don't need to scrub your face until it's red and irritated. Healthy skin needs support, not aggression.

Looking at Skin From the Inside Out

Your skin doesn't exist separately from the rest of your body.

Researchers are increasingly studying the connection between the gut, immune system, and skin, often referred to as the gut-skin axis.

With acne it's worth looking at the whole picture. I've also personally used bentonite clay internally for years. For me, it's simply been a natural part of my wellness routine.

For me, looking at the bigger picture means paying attention to my food, digestion, stress, sleep, hormones, hydration, movement, and skincare.

I also focus on nourishing foods like colorful vegetables, leafy greens, berries, omega-3-rich foods, avocado, nuts and seeds, and fiber-rich whole foods.

Bentonite clay is simply one powerful piece of that bigger picture.

My Bentonite Clay Acne Mask

When my skin feels congested or I'm having a breakout, this is one of the simplest masks I reach for.

You'll need:

1 tablespoon Redmond Bentonite Clay
1–2 tablespoons filtered water, enough to create a smooth paste

How to make it:

Mix the clay and water in a small glass or ceramic bowl until smooth.

Apply a thin layer to clean skin. Leave it on for about 10–15 minutes, or until it is mostly dry.

Rinse gently with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Optional: Tea tree oil is another natural ingredient that has been studied for acne and may be helpful for some people. If you want to use it, choose a properly diluted, skin-safe tea tree product rather than applying undiluted essential oil directly to your face. Always patch test first, as tea tree oil can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. You can also add tea tree oil to your bentonite clay mask.

Other Things I Recommend for Acne

Clay is only one part of my approach to healthy skin.

I also believe in keeping things simple and looking at the bigger picture:

Nourishing your body with colorful, whole foods
Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods and vegetables
Staying hydrated
Getting enough sleep
Managing stress
Paying attention to your digestion and hormones
Avoiding refined sugar and highly processed foods (especially made with seed oils) if you notice they trigger breakouts for you.
If you can't eat it don't put it on your skin! Your skin is the largest organ and absorbs everything you put on it. If you put too many chemicals on your skin it's absorbed by your liver and gut and that ends up creating acne!
Keeping your skincare routine gentle rather than constantly stripping or exfoliating your skin

If you're looking for more support, I also have a Clear Skin 7-Day Recipe Plan in The Earth Diet book, where I go deeper into foods and natural approaches I use to support clearer, healthier skin.

My Approach to Healthier Skin

Stay away from the Top Foods that Cause Acne:

Seed oils like vegetable oil, canola oil and soybean oil. On The Earth Diet you can eat an abundance of olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil.
Refined sugar like white sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar and even cane sugar. On The Earth Diet you can eat an abundance of natural sugars from fruits, dates, coconut sugar, honey, monk fruit and maple syrup.
Gluten. You can resume eating organic gluten again once your acne has cleared up.
Dairy. You can resume eating organic dairy again once your acne has cleared up.
GMO - genetically modified ingredients. Chemicals, preservatives, additives etc all add a toxic burden to the skin!
Conventional meat is contaminated with growth hormones that are the worst for acne.

People who do The Earth Diet long enough have perfect skin. I know that's bold to say, but it's true. Having perfect clear skin is really simple it just comes down to three things: cleansing the liver and gut, where acne originates from, living a natural lifestyle to reduce the chemical burden on your skin, and having a good topical skincare routine.

In the meantime while you are healing your skin, if you have acne, every time you look in the mirror say out loud "I accept myself". This was an empowering affirmation I declared when I dreaded looking in the mirror when I had acne.

Please don't need to hide your skin or attack it with harsh products. The sunshine is also great for healing acne. My philosophy has always been about supporting the body rather than punishing it.

Bentonite clay is the most important natural tool I prioritize in my skincare routine. I love that it comes straight from the earth, has fascinating mineral properties, and is incredibly simple to use. Sometimes the simplest ingredients are the ones that remind us how amazing nature and God really is.

The Bentonite Clay I Use

If you want to try the clay I use and recommend, Redmond Bentonite Clay you can purchase it here! Redmond also have a pre made face mask and you can purchase here.

Love,

Liana

*This article is sponsored

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Bentonite clay is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have severe, cystic, scarring, or persistent acne, speak with a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional.