Also known as white Kaolin clay, white clay, China clay, or kaolinite clay, it’s considered one of the gentlest facial clays. Not only is it suitable for all skin types, but is also ideal for sensitive skin. It consists of kaolinite, a mineral consisting of layered silicate.
While Kaolin clay is known to be white, it can also be greenish or pinkish in color as well, even ranging to dark brown depending on the other minerals present in the clay.
But purists insist that the purer or brighter white the clay is in color, the higher its quality. Before being used in skincare, Kaolin clay was mined primarily for sculpting, porcelain production, and paper glossing.
Is Kaolin Clay good for Skin?
Kaolin clay is unique from other popular facial clays like bentonite, in that it doesn’t dry out the skin. Instead, it leaves the skin soft and healthy. It also has a neutral pH and contains high amounts of silicon dioxide, which is beneficial to skin and hair. Silicon dioxide is a trace mineral present in plant-based foods as well as rocks and is the only form of silica that the body can absorb. Kaolin clay is ideal for those with sensitive skin, dry skin, and more mature skin.
Kaolin clay is fantastic used as a standalone ingredient, but its benefits are better boosted with other skin-healing products. Kaolin clay has a broad range of other functions. It can be used as mineral makeup, hair mask, bath supplement, facial cleanser, and even spot treatment for acne.
Benefits
- Gently Exfoliates
- Strengthens Hair
- Helps Reduce Oily Skin
- Relieves Irritated Skin
Despite Kaolin clay’s gentle nature, it can still remove dirt and other impurities from the skin. Its exfoliating properties are effective but remain gentle enough to not cause irritation or inflammation.
Its effectiveness at removing impurities makes Kaolin clay a great hair and scalp cleanser as well. It cleans away the dirt without removing the important natural oils while promoting circulation in the scalp.
Since Kaolin clay does not have the excessive drying powers of bentonite clay, it doesn’t suck out as much oil. But this is good news since it’s recommended for people who don’t overproduce oil anyway, so Kaolin clay will only ever draw out enough oil to maintain a healthy balance in the skin.
Kaolin clay has mild cooling and healing properties. This makes it a soothing solution to skin irritations such as rashes, bug bites, and minor scrapes.
Directions for use
Mask- Use ceramic, food grade plastic or wooden bowls. Do not use metal bowls. Mix 1 tablespoon of Kaolin powder add 6 drops of lemon grass oil and 2 tablespoon of water in it and stir to make paste. Apply the paste on facial skin and dry part of skin. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes. Now wash face with water.
Precautions
For external use only. Rub a very small mix on the inside of your elbow area to test for any allergic reaction before use. Avoid contact with eyes, keep out of the reach of children. If pregnant, consult with your health care provider before use.
