The Science of Kaolin (White Clay) in Skin Care
Kaolin clay, also known as white clay or China clay, is one of the most versatile and gentle clays used in skin care . Unlike many other clays, which can be drying, kaolin is gentle enough to be used on nearly all skin types, including those with dry or sensitive skin. Most notably, kaolin clay is an effective ingredient for controlling excess oil and improving acne-prone skin. Here, you can learn more about what active compounds in kaolin clay give this ingredient its many skin benefits, as well as tips for how to best incorporate it into your skin care regimen.
Kaolin clay can remove dirt and oil from pores, reducing blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
Kaolin clay is gentle and mild, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.
Kaolin is found in moisturizers, cleansers, face masks, and cosmetics. Match your skin type with kaolin-containing products to maximize benefits.
What Is Kaolin Clay?
Kaolin is a fine, soft white clay named after the Kao-ling Hill in China, where it was originally mined. It is one of the gentlest clays used in skin care, making kaolin particularly beneficial for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Kaolin clay is an astringent. It works by gently drawing out impurities from pores without causing the dryness or irritation that can sometimes come with stronger clays like bentonite or fuller’s earth. Kaolin’s gentle cleansing and oil-absorbing properties make it a popular ingredient in a wide range of skin care products, including face masks, cleansers, moisturizers, and even makeup.
Active Compounds in Kaolin
Kaolin clay is primarily composed of kaolinite, a mineral rich in silica, aluminum, and trace minerals . Silica helps to exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and promoting a smoother, brighter complexion. Aluminum silicate has mild absorbing properties that make it useful for reducing excess oil on the skin without disturbing the natural moisture balance. These minerals work together to gently cleanse and purify the skin, supporting a healthy and balanced complexion.
Skin Benefits of Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay can offer a wide range of skin benefits for nearly all Baumann Skin Types. Because it has a neutral pH, Kaolin clay is suitable for sensitive skin types. Unlike more acidic or alkaline clays, kaolin won’t disturb your skin’s natural pH balance, which is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. This pH balance is particularly important for sensitive skin, as it helps prevent irritation and dryness.
Some of the best uses for and benefits of kaolin clay in skin care include:
Cleansing. Kaolin’s fine texture allows it to penetrate pores, where it can effectively remove dirt, oil, and other impurities without causing dryness or irritation. This characteristic makes kaolin ideal for improving blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
Reducing excess oil. Kaolin clay’s ability to absorb oil without over-drying or irritating the skin make it a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin types. It absorbs excess sebum without stripping the skin, helping to prevent clogged pores and reduce shine.
Improving acne. By balancing oil levels, kaolin can also help to improve and prevent acne breakouts. Additionally, kaolin clay has natural anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help to soothe active breakouts and reduce redness.
Skin-soothing. The effective, yet gentle anti-inflammatory nature of kaolin clay also makes it a good choice for those with sensitive, red, or inflamed skin. Some people with rosacea may find soothing relief from warm or red skin during symptom flareups when using kaolin clay.
Exfoliation. The fine particles in kaolin clay have a mild exfoliating effect, which can help to remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother, brighter complexion. Unlike harsher exfoliants, kaolin’s gentle nature minimizes the risk of over-exfoliating or damaging the skin.
Side Effects of Kaolin in Skin Care
Unlike other clays, kaolin doesn’t clog pores and is gentle on the skin. Thus, it is typically well-tolerated for most skin types. However, if you notice that your skin is getting too dry or is irritated by frequent use of kaolin clay, reduce how frequently you use products containing this ingredient.
Best Kaolin Skin Care Products
Kaolin clay is found in a wide variety of skin care products. Most of these products are formulated for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Be sure to choose kaolin-containing products that are a match for your Baumann Skin Type. You can see which skin types are approved for each of the products below by clicking onto their product page.
How to Use Kaolin Clay in Your Skin Care Routine
How you use kaolin clay in your skin care routine will depend on your skin type and specific needs. Those with dry, acne-prone skin, for example, can use a moisturizer such as the Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer that is formulated with kaolin and other ingredients to both moisturize and prevent breakouts.
Kaolin clay can also be used in a face mask that you can use as frequently or infrequently as your skin allows. Many sensitive or redness-prone skin types find that kaolin clay masks can be soothing and cooling to the skin.
You might also find kaolin in some cosmetics products, such as Jane Iredale ColorLuxe eye shadow sticks . It is a gentle ingredient that can give cosmetics a smooth consistency while also providing skin-cleansing and blemish-fighting benefits.
Bottom Line
Kaolin clay is a gentle ingredient found in cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and some cosmetic products thanks to its cleansing, skin-soothing, and acne-fighting benefits. Because it has a neutral pH and does not overly dry the skin, kaolin clay can be suitable for most skin types, even those with sensitive skin. However, check to make sure that the kaolin products you want to try are a match for your Baumann Skin Type to see the best results and avoid unintended side effects.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.