The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Kaolin
aka china clay · hydrated aluminum silicate · kaolin clay
A naturally occurring clay mineral used as a mattifying and stabilising agent in colour cosmetics. One of the foundational clean-beauty powder ingredients.
- Oil absorbent — mattifying effect
- Stabilises emulsions and suspensions
- Improves texture in powder formulas
- Mild skin conditioning
- Natural mineral — minimally processed
- Bronzing crèmes
- Setting powders
- Clay face masks
- Mattifying primers
- Talc-free foundations
Fine particle size (1–2 microns typical) required for cosmetic use. Functions in both anhydrous powder formulas and emulsions. Opaque white — colour management in tinted products.
Contamination risk: naturally occurring kaolin deposits can contain asbestos (tremolite) co-contamination. Cosmetic-grade kaolin must be certified asbestos-free. This distinction is critical given the talc/asbestos controversy.
Universally accepted in clean beauty as a natural clay mineral. The asbestos contamination risk in natural clays requires supply chain vigilance that is not always communicated to consumers.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Kaolin
aka china clay · hydrated aluminum silicate · kaolin clay
A naturally occurring clay mineral used as a mattifying and stabilising agent in colour cosmetics. One of the foundational clean-beauty powder ingredients.
- Oil absorbent — mattifying effect
- Stabilises emulsions and suspensions
- Improves texture in powder formulas
- Mild skin conditioning
- Natural mineral — minimally processed
- Bronzing crèmes
- Setting powders
- Clay face masks
- Mattifying primers
- Talc-free foundations
Fine particle size (1–2 microns typical) required for cosmetic use. Functions in both anhydrous powder formulas and emulsions. Opaque white — colour management in tinted products.
Contamination risk: naturally occurring kaolin deposits can contain asbestos (tremolite) co-contamination. Cosmetic-grade kaolin must be certified asbestos-free. This distinction is critical given the talc/asbestos controversy.
Universally accepted in clean beauty as a natural clay mineral. The asbestos contamination risk in natural clays requires supply chain vigilance that is not always communicated to consumers.