What Is Kaolin Clay? Benefits, Uses and More
If you’ve experimented with bentonite clay as part of your natural skin care and beauty routine but you’re looking for something a bit milder, then kaolin clay may be the perfect option.
What is kaolin clay used for? Believe it or not, this
versatile clay can be used as a mild cleanser, gentle exfoliator, natural acne
blemish treatment and teeth whitener — in addition to helping treat diarrhea,
ulcers and certain toxicities.
It’s chock-full of minerals and detoxifying ingredients, yet
it’s gentler and less drying than many other clays.
Let’s take a look at what kaolin clay/kaolinite is, where
it’s found, and how you can use it on your skin, hair, teeth and more.
What Is Kaolin Clay?
Kaolin clay is a type of clay primarily made up of
kaolinite, which is a mineral that is found all over the earth. It’s also
sometimes called white clay or China clay.
Where does kaolin come from? What makes kaolinite
beneficial?
Kaolin was named after a hill in China called Kao-ling where
this clay was mined for hundreds of years. Today, kaolinite is mined from many
different locations around the world, including parts of China, the U.S.,
Brazil, Pakistan, Bulgaria and elsewhere.
It forms most abundantly in soils that have formed from the
weathering of rocks in hot, humid climates, such as those in rain forests.
This clay is soft, usually white or pink, and made up of
tiny crystals of minerals, including silica, quartz and feldspar. It also
naturally contains the minerals copper, selenium, manganese, magnesium and
zinc.
However, it isn’t usually ingested for its nutrient content
— rather it’s taken to treat gastrointestinal problems or more often applied
topically to the skin.
Additionally, kaolinite and kaolin pectin are also used in
pottery and ceramics and in the manufacturing of toothpaste, cosmetics, light
bulbs, china dishware, porcelain, some types of paper, rubber, paint and many
other industrial products.
There are several different types and colors of kaolin clays
available, including:
• While
this clay is usually white, kaolinite can also be a pink-orange-red hue due to
iron oxidizing and causing rust. Red kaolin clay indicates that there are high
levels of iron oxide near where it is found. This type is most suited for
people wanting to prevent signs of aging.
• Green
kaolin clay comes from clay that contains plant matter. It also has high levels
of iron oxide. This type is usually most drying and best for people with
acne-prone or oily skin.
Benefits
What does kaolin do for the skin? How is it beneficial for
gut health?
Here are some of the potential benefits of using this clay:
1. Mild and Non-Irritating When Applied to Sensitive Skin
Kaolin is suited for nearly all skin types and is considered
one of the most gentle clays available. You’ll find it in products such as
facial masks and scrubs that help cleanse and exfoliate the skin, leaving
behind a smoother, more even skin tone and texture.
Since it is gentle, it makes a suitable mild cleanser and detoxifying
treatment for sensitive skin.
Kaolin also has an appealing pH level that is close to the
pH of human skin. This means that it typically isn’t irritating and is a good
product for those with sensitive, delicate or dry skin.
You can also apply kaolin to your hair and scalp to help with cleansing and reducing irritation without drying your hair out. Similarly, it can be used in the mouth to help clean the gums and whiten the teeth
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