Where Does It Come From?
Pumice is a lightweight rock mined in many countries throughout the world, such as Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Chile and the United States. According to the World Mineral Exchange, pumice is a volcanic rock that is formed when lava shoots from the volcano and cools in the air. As it is cooling, the volcanic gases escape from the rock, which is what gives it the porous appearance.
Beauty Uses
People are most familiar with the use of pumice stone as a beauty tool. It is used as an exfoliator and abrasive on the skin. The Dermagenix Medical Spa reports that pumice stone is most often used to remove rough areas of skin, such as corns and calluses that form on feet and other areas of the body. As the stone is rubbed on the area, it causes friction, rubbing off the patches of dead cells and skin and revealing the smooth layer of skin and cells beneath. Crushed pumice stone can also be put in creams and cleansers and used as a more gentle exfoliator on the skin.
Industrial Uses
Pumice is also used for many industrial purposes, mainly in the building trades. The Mineral Information Institute reports that most mined pumice is used to make lightweight concrete mix and concrete blocks. It is the lightweight quality of pumice stone that also makes landscapers want to use it in their designs. Another industrial use for pumice stone is stone-washing jeans. The stones are added to a large drum washing machine with the jeans. As the jeans go through the cycle, the stones cause a lot of wear and tear, giving the jeans a worn look.
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