White clay

Properties of white clay

• Removes dirt and oil residue from the skin without overdrying it.

• Kaolin has a low cation exchange capacity – it is gentle on the skin.

• Suitable for sensitive and normal skin types.

• Neutral white tone – does not affect the color of products.

Mineral composition of white clay

• Silicon dioxide (SiO₂, approximately 53%)

• Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃, about 30%) gives the clay a low cation exchange capacity.

  Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃, approximately 1.8%) is present in small amounts, so it does not affect the color of the clay.

• Calcium oxide, sodium oxide and magnesium oxide are present in small amounts

The use of white clay in cosmetics

Kaolin absorbs oil and dirt from the skin's surface without swelling or deep cleansing, making it gentler than smectite clays like montmorillonite or bentonite. It's a good choice for skin that needs regular cleansing without removing excess sebum.

Fine white clay powder is also used as a mattifying component in makeup products.

Skincare

Best suited for sensitive, normal and combination skin, also suitable for more frequent use. Masks: mix 1 part clay with 1–1.5 parts liquid (spring water or flower water). Apply a thin layer to the skin, leave for about 10 minutes, then rinse and moisturize.

Hair care

Suitable for all hair types, including fine and fragile hair.

• Scalp mask: apply to damp scalp, leave on for about 10 minutes, then rinse.

• steleShampoo additive: mix 1–2 tablespoons into neutral shampoo, leave for 5 minutes, then rinse.

Soap making

• Cold process soap: To avoid lumps, mix clay powder in water or vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:3. Use up to 5 g per 450 g of soap fats. You can mix the clay with the fats before mixing with the soapstone solution or into the finished soap mixture before pouring into the mold.

• In ready-made soap mass, use ¼–½ teaspoon per 500 g of soap mass.

Unrecommended areas of use: White clay is not very effective for very oily or problematic skin, as clay with a higher absorption capacity is better suited for this skin type.

Interaction with other substances. Clay is a natural mineral that is stable in acidic, neutral and alkaline mixtures. It is insoluble in water or oil, and in liquid products it settles to the bottom over time.

When making clay products, use glass, ceramic, or wooden utensils, avoid using metal utensils. It is recommended to use spring or filtered water as the liquid, not tap water.

Technical information

INCI: Kaolin

Country of origin: France

Production method: mining, drying, mechanical grinding, screening – without chemical treatment, ionization or washing

Appearance: Fine white powder

Odor: characteristic

Particle size: up to 75 µm

Storage: Store in a closed container in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place, protected from moisture.