Manicouagan Clay
Technical data
The analyses carried out on the sea Mud from Manicouagan have mainly covered the determination of the nature of the sediments (geomorphology), the types of minerals, the type of Elements as well as the physical characteristics (hydroscopic, plasticity, particle sizes, colour, etc).
Such analyses made it possible to identify the variety of Minerals and Elements of this sea Mud (clay) shaped by interstitial waters from the Manicouagan area. Such waters are actively participating to the geochemical exchanges which enhance microbiological activities.
The sea mud from Manicouagan is a silty clay which mainly contains illite, albite and quartz. It is characterized by its high content of silica, alumina, iron oxide and sodium oxide, and by a great level of magnesium and calcium oxides. The mechanism of oxidation induced by iron oxide confers to the clay its unique colour (grey to green).
Indeed, the analyses have confirmed the great variety of Elements such as: Silica, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, chromium and zinc, etc. The Sea Mud contains 42 natural chemical element of the 102 in existence on earth. The synergy of these elements is such than no other mud or clay is comparable. Most of competitors’ products have only between 12 and 20 chemical elements.
The combination of its very pleasant skin feel with its unique composition makes the Sea Mud of Manicouagan the ideal candidate to formulate all types of efficient cosmeceutical products. In fact, more than 50% of the particles have less than five microns, and 100% less than 150 microns.* the sea mud has the texture of cream in its natural state, a world uniqueness.
By analytical determination of organic matters such as Chlorophyll “a”, Phycoerythrine
and Phycocyanine, it has then been possible to identify marine vegetables – mainly algae present in the sea mud. These two pigments (Phycoerythrine & Phycocyanine), very specific of algae, are highly
appreciated in dermo-cosmetic applications. Indeed, they have antioxidant properties, able to behave as free radical scavengers.
Moreover, such pigments also help to create a protective film against the UV-light. At last, another interesting property brought by these pigments, is their ability to accelerate wound healing. Taking into account that only small amounts of pigments are necessary to bring such benefits, one can assume that the Sea Mud from Manicouagan is a good answer to skin problems. Moreover, the presence of these pigments in the matrix of the clay plus its chemical and mineral composition certainly makes it a good choice in treatments of skin problems.
None exhaustive list of some benefits brought by some minerals :
• Magnesium acts like a Humectant and an anti-allergen for sensitive skins, as well as a
Co-factor for the enzymes which participate to the cell activity.
• Sodium and potassium are very active in cell activity, thanks to their capacity to go
through the cell membrane. They can feed the cell in essential substances while
eliminating the xenobiotics.
• Bromine is a antiseptic used in treatments of skin diseases such as psoriasis.
• Potassium is a regulating agent of the hydrous balance which participates to the increase
in the metabolic rate and therefore contributes to the cell regeneration and growth.
• Calcium reinforces the cell membranes, activates some enzymes.
• Zinc takes part in the enzymatic regulation during the cell proliferation. Is known for its
action against acne.
• Iron, combined to magnesium and calcium, plays an active part in cases of asthenia,
demineralisation or anaemia. It also acts like a strong bactericidal agent.
The Sea mud from Manicouagan is extracted by carefully digging through a thick cover of peat and protective sediments. Thanks to the mineral, vegetable and organic components of exceptional nature, each application provides well being and energy and is without a doubt the best asset for your well being
Beauty enhanced by Nature.
Love and passion for Nature are the main roots for the Manicouagan clay.
The Sea Mud from Manicouagan is the result of a long history in wild and well preserved nature
The Rivers being responsible for the formation of the peninsula of Manicouagan which they limit by
the Northern and Southern parts both originate from the crater surrounding the René Levasseur
Island. This crater has been formed over 200 millions years ago by a giant meteorite that crashed on
the surface.
Successive Ice periods have then grinded lava and rocs from the crater formed by the meteorite
into a very fine natural clay. During its long and slow voyage to the peninsula, the clay became an exceptionally rich Sea Mud building up the unique benefits of combined minerals, organic and vegetable components having slowly accumulated in a vast turn of the huge St Laurent River to form the Manicouagan peninsula, in an area which used to be part of the Goldwaith Sea. In September 2007 the Manicouagan area was registered by UNESCO a World Biosphere Reserve.
