Collection: Cosmetic Clays

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About Cosmetic Clays

Discover the best clay for your skincare needs, from the gentle exfoliation properties of kaolin white clay to the blemish-fighting power of French green clay.

Whether you're whipping up rejuvenating soap, invigorating face scrubs, or natural deodorant, these ingredients are a must-have in cosmetics. 

Mined from finest minerals, rocks and deposits, our cosmetic clays are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Embrace the benefits of nature and elevate your skin care routine with our selection of premium clays.

Learn More About Cosmetic Clays

Bring out the best in everything from skin to hair with natural clays.

That’s right - these earthy ingredients aren’t just for pottery; they're perfect for cosmetic creations too! From white kaolin to pink, red, and green French, clays boast all sorts of oil-absorbing, exfoliating, and detoxifying qualities!

What are Cosmetic Clays?  

Say hello to cosmetic clays - mother nature’s mineral-packed crafting ingredient! These raw wonders are the ultimate multitaskers, bringing everything from oil-pulling abilities to beautifully muted pigments to the table. 

Pulled from the depths of the earth, our brilliant range of clays comes in a variety of earthy colours and textures, each with their own unique benefits. Whether used as gentle exfoliants, powerful detoxifiers, or simple skin softeners, they’re bound to leave smooth, radiant complexions in their wake - making them a top choice for many of our makers.

Browse our selection to discover some of the most popular, high-quality clay variants the cosmetics industry has to offer - each in a perfectly milled, ready-to-mix powder form. 

How to Use Clay in Cosmetics

These earthy additions aren’t just good for the skin! Ready to transform your creation?

Start by mixing a pinch of clay powder with your moisturising agent to create a paste. Depending on your chosen clay, the results could be anything from velvet smooth for easy application to gently gritty for exfoliation! Once you've achieved your desired consistency, add the mixture to your soap or cosmetic base.

But don't stop there! Experiment with our full range of clays to feel their unique benefits. Why not give French green a go for oily skin or craft with kaolin for the perfect gentle formula? The possibilities are endless! 

Of course, no two cosmetic clay recipes are made equal. For full recipes, processes, tips, tricks, and more, why not visit our blog?

The Benefits of Cosmetic Clays

Packed to the brim with skin-loving benefits bound to leave skin feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and radiant, these mineral-based wonder-powders just can’t be overlooked.

Good for both people and the planet, our unprocessed, 100% natural clays are a must-have in any maker’s collection. Whether you're creating soap, face masks, or other cosmetics, with any cosmetic clay on hand, you’ll be able to detoxify, exfoliate, nourish, hydrate, and protect!

These skincare saviours are versatile, effective, and can be used to create all sorts of different products. From drawing out impurities and excess oils to gently removing dead skin, natural clays and their mineral-rich compositions are - in the best possible way - naturally effective.  

So, why not get started? Add some clay to your creations.

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING

We Value Each of Our Customers

Accreditations/Awards

We’re committed to offering a vast range of all-natural, organic products certified by The Soil Association, and we take pride in doing our part for the world around us.

Like most ingredients, the oils, butters, powders, and decorations in your handmade products are farmed or extracted from the natural world. Those certified as organic by the Soil Association were grown, produced, and harvested in line with strict regulations designed to protect and sustain the environment, including soils, ecosystems, animals, and people.

Buying Cosmetic Clays: FAQs

Can’t find the answers you’re looking for? Be sure to reach out to our friendly team using our contact form, or over social media. We’ll be happy to help.

Can clay be used in haircare products?

Clays like Kaolin, Bentonite, and Rhassoul are known for their detoxifying and cleansing properties. When used in haircare, clay helps absorb excess oil, cleanse the scalp, and remove impurities without stripping natural oils. This makes it particularly effective for those with oily hair or scalp issues like dandruff.

Clay can also add volume to the hair, making it a popular ingredient in dry shampoos and volumising products. Additionally, it can provide minerals that help to strengthen hair.

When using clay in haircare, it's important to balance it with moisturising ingredients to prevent dryness. Clays are versatile and can be incorporated into shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks for a natural, cleansing, and rejuvenating effect on the hair and scalp.

Can clay be used to colour soap?

Clays’ inherent mineral pigments offer a natural way to colour soap. These naturally occurring colourants, for example, iron oxide, result in muted, earthy hues when mixed with soap batter. 

French green, as its name implies, is a great option for those looking to achieve a soft green tone, whilst kaolin is a natural white. French pink and red showcase subtle rosy and deep rustic shades respectively. The final shade and intensity of your soap can vary based on the clay quantity, alongside the exact soap making methods used.

What’s the best clay for oily skin?

Clay is one of the most effective natural ingredients for cleansing and clearing oily skin! In most cases, its natural ability to absorb excess oil and impurities can leave this skin type feeling refreshed and balanced. 

Some popular clay types found in oily skin formations include French green (rich in Iron and silica found to nourish the skin), bentonite (a natural detoxifying agent with added exfoliating abilities perfect for the removal of blackheads and oil buildup), and kaolin (a gentle, mild option perfect for those with sensitive skin).

Want to learn more about using clay in your skincare recipes? Why not visit our blog?

How does clay work on skin?

Natural clays are a simple yet effective bath and body ingredient. It works in a relatively simple manner - relying on its natural properties (mostly a unique electrostatic charge) and mineral-rich composition to deliver a whole range of benefits. 

Most clays work directly upon application, drawing impurities (primarily those made up of oils) out of the skin and pores, and trapping them - ready to be rinsed off with water. This helps it create a light, silky feel on the skin post-application, with many types of clay able to offer additional benefits including exfoliating and brightening properties.

Which clays are best for skin?

Here at The Soapery, we’re firm believers in finding the best ingredients for your unique formula - meaning in our eyes, there’s no one ‘best’ clay for skin! Instead, there’s a whole list to choose from! Some of soap and cosmetics experts’ favourites include Kaolin (the original cosmetics clay perfect for sensitive skin and recipes involving added colourants), French green (a mineral-rich option with a beautiful muted green tone perfect for natural products), bentonite (a classic ingredient packed with calcium, magnesium, and potassium), and French Pink (renowned for its gentle exfoliation and skin-softening attributes).

Where does cosmetic clay come from?

Cosmetic clays, also known as mineral clays, are an ingredient type derived directly from the earth. In most contexts, they’re formed over thousands of years through the erosion of rocks - a process resulting in the concentration of minerals from iron to silica and beyond. 

The minerals present in the clay play a large factor in its classification - for example, Kaolin clay is composed mostly of kaolinite, as its name suggests. 

Before being listed for sale, said clays are carefully mined, lightly processed to remove impurities such as rocks and soil, and packaged up, mostly in the form of a powder ready for rehydration in cosmetics and soap making.

How to store cosmetic clay?

Cosmetic clays’ powder format makes storage simple! In most cases, depending on where you’ve ordered from, all you’ve got to do is keep your clay sealed in its original airtight packaging. If that no longer has a seal, simply make the transfer to more suitable packaging, such as a tub or ziplock bag!

When using cosmetic clays after storage, be sure to keep your environment and tools clean - for example, always scoop with a clean utensil to avoid contaminating the rest of your batch! If you're using a clay that’s meant to be mixed with water, use distilled or purified water to help prevent any unwanted bacteria from growing.

Is clay bad for your skin?

Cosmetic clays, when used correctly, can be hugely beneficial to a number of skin types, drawing on their natural oil-pulling, purifying, exfoliating, and cleansing properties to wash away everything from blackheads to general buildup. With this being said, the way in which clay is should be taken into consideration. 

Whilst the perfect formula can achieve all of the above and more, some types of natural clay can be drying and sensitising if not used properly. Be sure to thoroughly test new formulas, and double-check your recipes when working with clay in order to achieve the best possible results on skin.

Why is kaolin clay good for skin?

Kaolin clay is considered to be the original cosmetics clay for good reason! Boasting a ‘blank canvas’ white colour perfect for all sorts of creative crafting, alongside a beautifully soft texture and fine grain, this natural skincare ingredient ticks all the boxes at a glance. 

Beyond looks and feel, kaolin brings some brilliant properties to the table. It’s naturally mild and gentle - but able to exfoliate all the same - making it the perfect option for many with sensitive skin in need of a suitable face mask. 

The benefits don’t end there - it’s also, in line with most other clays, a brilliant detoxifying and cleansing agent, able to lift oil and impurities straight from the skin surface.

Can I add clays to soap?

Clays are a common soap ingredient renowned for their unique properties. The perfect natural solution for suds and skincare, most cosmetic clays are excellent cleansers, working to remove impurities from the skin with ease. In addition, they can be used as a colourant. For instance, Kaolin clay is great for sensitive skin, while French green clay can lend a lovely muted green hue. French pink clay is revered for its gentle cleansing properties and gorgeous colour. When adding clays to soap, it's crucial to mix them with a small amount of water or oil before incorporating them into the soap batter to prevent clumping. Be sure to consult a trusted clay soap recipe to ensure your creation is a success.