Bentonite was first named Taylorite, after its discoverer William Taylor. Its current name was first used by W.C. Knight in 1898, who named it after one of its earliest known deposits, Fort Benton, located in the state of Montana, United States.
Historical records indicate that this noble material was already used daily by the Egyptians around 3100 BC, notably during the mummification process, owing to its outstanding antiseptic properties. Physicians of antiquity also regarded it as an excellent remedy, valued for its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.
Since great importance was placed on beauty even in those times, contemporary records of its external use can also be found. One of the greatest figures of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi, also used it and drew attention to the benefits and favourable properties of clay. Today, the external and internal application of natural remedies and the production of cosmetics from clay-based products are gaining an ever-increasing presence in the market.