Kaolin (and) Iron Oxides

Red kaolin clay's government name is plain old kaolin. The red comes from iron oxides that occur naturally in the clay, the same family of minerals that makes rust and red earth red.

Superhero or supervillain?

Superhero. Its superpower is color: a warm, earthy red, straight from the ground.

What it does in my skincare

In soap, red kaolin gives a brick or terracotta color and a smooth, silky feel. In a clay mask, it's a gentle clay that absorbs oil on the skin's surface. It has more iron oxide than rose kaolin, so the color is deeper.