Kaolin Clay

Clay in skincare products is far from a new concept: in fact, clay face masks are probably the first entry point into beauty for a lot of people.

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But aside from being one of the most exciting parts of a teenage sleepover, clay has a multitude of benefits for skin – and one particular type, kaolin, can work wonders for oily complexions, or those with blackheads, which is why it’s often found in a range of products and treatments.  

Kaolin clay
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Kaolin – also known as white clay – is a soft clay and one of the most common minerals. As well as being used to make everything from paper to pottery, it’s also a key player in the beauty industry and has been used for centuries as a brilliant skincare ingredient, most commonly in Asia but in other places, too. 
  • Incorporating kaolin into your skincare routine is one of the best ways of helping to reduce excess oiliness by targeting and absorbing excess sebum production and sweat on the skin’s surface, as well as cleaning and removing impurities in acne-prone skin types – which essentially means that it can minimize the appearance of pore and blemish marks. It also works to mattify any particularly oily complexions. 
  • They are both absorbing mineral origin clays, but they have a different mineral composition. 
  • While kaolin clay is good for use on all skin types, it’s an ingredient that’s most beneficial for anybody who has oily or acne-prone skin, or anybody who’s looking for products that will help mattify skin. However, as kaolin – and most clays in general – are ultra-absorbing agents, if your skin is on the super dry side or sensitive, then it’s probably one to use only as a wash and reduce the frequency of use to help avoid drying your skin out even further. 
  • Kaolin clay is most often found formulated into face cleansers or masks, such as Pure Active 3in1 Clay Wash Scrub Mask, and depending on how oily or acne prone your complexion is, it’s best used around once a day as a wash or scrub, and three times a week as a mask to leave skin looking and feeling soft, smooth, and oil-free – which is what we all want, right? And in case of sensitive or dry skin or if any reaction occurs, it is recommended to use it only as a wash, gently massaging the skin, and reduce the frequency of use.   

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