Clay masks and cleansers are popular skincare products for people with oily, acne-prone skin. They remove excess oil and balance the skin tone thanks to the impressive oil-absorbing properties of ingredients such as kaolin clay.
This article lays out ten kaolin clay benefits for the skin and explains how to use kaolin in skin care.
What Does Kaolin Clay Do for the Skin?
Comprehensive research about the benefits of kaolin clay for the skin is still lacking. However, existing studies and user experience suggest its cleansing, impurity-extracting abilities can improve skin health in many ways.
1. Absorbs Excess Oil
Like activated charcoal, kaolin is a porous substance with a large surface area. The numerous micropores absorb excess oil, sweat, and impurities from deep skin layers. Kaolin is often added to products to control oiliness.
2. Removes Toxins
Environmental toxins disrupt the natural skin barrier and cause inflammation, damaging the skin. Kaolin is known as an effective detoxifying agent. Its porous structure enables it to attract environmental toxins from the skin’s surface, which are naturally flushed from the body.
3. Gently Cleanses the Skin
Kaolin clay is a mild ingredient that doesn’t dehydrate the skin or strip it of essential oils, like many other cleansing agents. It gently removes impurities and toxins, acting soothingly on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
4. Shrinks the Pores
Dirt, impurities, toxins, and other harmful substances clog and enlarge the pores. By detoxifying the skin, kaolin clay helps remove the accumulated impurities in the pores, making them appear smaller.
5. Helps Hydrate the Skin
The microspheres on kaolin clay’s surface have a high capacity for water absorption. This prevents transepidermal water loss and increases moisture levels in the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer). Balanced water content also strengthens the skin barrier, further enhancing skin hydration.
6. Soothes Inflamed, Irritated Skin
Kaolin clay has a pH typically ranging from 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to the skin’s natural pH level. This means that most skin types tolerate it well. The ingredient’s cleansing and moisture-balancing properties also help decrease redness and irritation.
7. Brightens the Skin
Skin experts appreciate kaolin for its gentle exfoliating properties. It helps refresh a dull complexion by removing dead skin cells, excess oil, and dirt from the epidermis. With regular use, it can contribute to a brighter, more radiant appearance.
8. May Help Reduce Acne
People with oily skin are more prone to breakouts because excess sebum can clog pores, creating the conditions for acne formation. Kaolin clay’s oil-absorbing properties help remove excess sebum and impurities from the skin, which may contribute to fewer breakouts.
9. May Help Decrease Aging Signs
Kaolin clay is the most effective as a cleansing ingredient. By clearing dead skin cells and excess oil, it helps promote smoother complexion, smaller pores, and a more balanced skin tone. Though it doesn’t provide direct anti-aging effects, it helps to revitalize tired skin and decrease the appearance of aging signs.
10. Deeply Nourishes the Skin
Kaolin is rich in the mineral kaolinite, which provides gentle exfoliation. It also contains trace minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and potassium, which help support skin health by promoting hydration, barrier function, and a more balanced skin tone. The exact mineral composition varies depending on the type of kaolin clay.
How to Use Kaolin Clay for the Skin?
Kaolin clay for the skin is typically found in cleansers and face masks. You can buy products with this ingredient or make them at home. Store-bought products should be used according to the instructions on the product label.
To make a DIY face mask with kaolin clay, follow these steps:
- Buy kaolin clay powder.
- Mix it with a small amount of water to create a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste on clean, damp skin and rub gently.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Skin professionals recommend using clay masks no more than three times a week to avoid over-exfoliating the skin.
Add other ingredients to increase the face mask’s nurturing and hydrating effects. Suggestions include essential oils (e.g., chamomile essential oil), protective antioxidants like willow herb, and soothing botanicals like calendula.
The Vibrant Skin team recommends Vibrant Mud, a clarifying clay mask with kaolin clay, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, calendula, passionflower, and other powerful cleansing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics, providing microbiome-friendly nourishment for overall skin health.
Note: Learn more about prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics and why they are trending ingredients in skin care.
Conclusion
Kaolin clay is a gentle, oil-absorbing ingredient that helps revitalize dull skin and improve skin tone. It is best used in face masks and cleansers to detoxify the skin and leave it fresh and radiant.
Look for more products in Vibrant Skin’s innovative skincare line featuring microbiome-friendly neuro-cosmetics. They will help improve your skin’s innate ability to protect itself from environmental aggressors and other skin aging factors.
