Government name
Kaolin
Goes by
White kaolin clay
The verdict
Superhero
Superpower
The mildest of the cosmetic clays, gentle enough for most skin types.
White kaolin clay doesn't have much of a secret identity. Its government name is just Kaolin, named after Gaoling, the hill in China where it was mined for porcelain.
Superhero or supervillain?
Superhero. Its superpower is being gentle. It absorbs a little oil without stripping, so it suits most skin types.
What it does in my skincare
In soap, white kaolin adds a silky, smooth feel to the bar and the lather without changing the color much. In a clay mask, it's the soft, easygoing clay that leaves skin feeling clean, not tight.
The color it makes
Here it is in 4 things I make.
In the soaps named for Kacen, Violet and Winnie.
- KacenClove, Black Pepper, and Orange
- VioletLavender Bergamot
- WinnieLavender Hibiscus
- Rose Charcoal Clay Face Mask
Usually seen with olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil and olive wax.
Don’t judge an ingredient by its government name. Judge it by the science.
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