In some Ghanaian homes, "shile" or "ayilo", the Twi and Ga names respectively for bentonite clay or kaolin, have long been used for skincare and even consumed by some, especially pregnant women who crave its earthy taste.\
Shea butter, on the other hand, is a trusted moisturiser known for nourishing the skin and hair. But today, these two traditional products are finding new life in an unexpected trend: body enhancement.
The Mirror has noticed a growing trend among young women who mix shea butter with ayilo into thick pastes and massage them onto their hips, thighs or breasts in hopes of achieving visible enlargement, across social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
While some users boast of results within weeks, others have turned the practice into small businesses, promoting their homemade blends as cheap, “natural” enhancement creams.
For 17-year-old Nana Adwoa, a senior high school student in Kumasi, the practice feels safer than imported creams.
“We grew up with shea butter and shile. If it can help my hips look bigger, why not try it? At least it’s not chemicals,” she said.
When asked why she wanted wider hips, the high school student said it was so she could look good in clothes.
The trend speaks to a wider cultural desire for curvier bodies, which are also celebrated in Ghanaian beauty ideals. Social media has amplified this pressure, making quick-fix methods appealing to many young women who cannot afford or are scared of the implications of cosmetic surgery.
Another lady who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity said she mixes hers with natural herbs like fenugreek and rosemary for faster results.
“People will not believe it, but it actually works. Powdered ayilo (the big ones with comb-dotted markings) mixed with shea butter or vaseline and olive oil offers the best body enhancement results. The main ingredient is the ayilo, but because it is clay, it will harden and dry the skin out, hence the addition of the oils. I also eat ayilo once in a while,” she added.
According to clothing vendor Miss Theodosia Efia Omani, who said she has been eating the clay for the past 13 years, she does not believe in the body enhancement claims. Instead, she explained that apart from eating it, she also mixes the clay with essential oils and uses it as a natural exfoliant for her skin and face.
Miss Omani also claimed to know people who even used it as vaginal tightening agents and men using it to increase their manhood.
Small business owners
This reporter’s investigations also led to the discovery that some small business owners are able to make as much as GH¢2,000 monthly from the sale of bentonite clay or kaolin, with some even shipping to Nigeria, Congo, the USA, the UK and other parts of the world.
“I source mine directly from producers in Tudu, Accra, which is one of the places they are processed. I also have a supplier in the Volta Region and I usually buy them in ‘olonka’ (a local measuring container) because it is easier to transport,” a trader, Miss Akua Agyeiwaa, explained.
She added that her customer base was mostly other traders like herself and those who buy in bulk to transport overseas to eat.
“Some of my customers who live abroad buy the clay whenever they come to Ghana and then transport it back for personal use or resale.
According to them, most of the ayilo sold overseas do not have the authentic taste,” Miss Agyeiwaa said.
She added that she also has buyers from Nigeria and Congo, since that type of clay is not readily available there.
When asked about the varieties she sold, she explained that they include the natural hard stone-like type, the rolled egg-shaped and smoked version, as well as the bigger pieces with comb-dotted markings.
She said she entered the business after posting a video of the manufacturing process on her TikTok page.
“The video blew up and I got a lot of enquiries; people asking where I was located, whether I shipped and how much it cost. That was when I decided to start taking orders. It’s been eight months now,” she said.
According to her, she makes over GH¢700 in profit monthly and works with a shipping agent to send out packages overseas.
Another entrepreneur, Gladys Selassie Yevugah, has taken the business a step further. She not only sells the clay itself but also processes it into the ‘body enhancement’ cream along with other oils, which she distributes locally and exports to Europe.
“It takes very little money to start because the product is easy to find, yet brings in huge returns. I sell my mixture between GH¢270 and GH¢450, and I’m mostly sold out. I’m able to make over GH¢2,000 on average,” she explained.
Doctor weighs in
The Executive Director, Public Health Alliance International, Ghana, Dr Prince Samuel Nuamah, weighed in on the topic.
He reiterated that the growing trend of mixing ayilo with shea butter for body enhancement has no scientific basis.
He explained that while shea butter on its own is a proven skin moisturiser, combining it with clay and applying it to the hips, thighs, or breasts does not cause enlargement.
“There isn’t any scientific research to show that applying clay on your body will enhance any part of it,” he said.
The doctor further noted that the practice could even carry hidden risks. Bentonite clay may contain harmful substances such as lead and mercury, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.
“Once these metals enter the body, they can interfere with blood production, bone growth and in pregnant women, even affect the unborn baby,” he cautioned.
Although he acknowledged that cultural practices like eating clay during pregnancy (commonly called pica) are not new, he stressed that repurposing it for beauty enhancement creates fresh health concerns.
“Some people may also develop skin reactions, rashes or other side effects without realising it comes from the clay,” he said.
On whether the practice should be regulated, he admitted it is a complex issue since clay is not classified as an approved cosmetic product.
Yet its popularity in the market makes oversight necessary. “It has gained such attention that it needs looking into and proper regulation,” he advised.
He added that the belief in such methods often came from coincidences and social media hypes.
“Some women naturally develop certain body features while using these products, and they credit the results to them. Once pictures circulate online, others are convinced it works, when in reality it is just a coincidence or marketing.”
As a word of caution to young women, the doctor advised: “I won’t tell anyone not to enhance their body, because there are safe, professional ways to do it. But with these mixtures, the risks far outweigh the benefits. If you want to enhance your body, consult a qualified medical professional for safe options.”
