Kaolin

A type of mineral clay milled into a white, very fine powder. It is able to absorb sweat and oil, which then helps to keep the skin matte. The larger particles of kaolin are used in skin scrubs as an abrasive ingredient.
Functions
Origin
Kaolin

Overview

Kaolin is a type of mineral clay (a native hydrated aluminum silicate). The mineral is milled into a white, very fine powder that has many different applications in skincare.

It often forms the base of cosmetics such as eyeshadows, powders, foundations, and face masks. It is able to absorb sweat and oil - which helps to keep the skin matte.

Kaolin is used to give liquid preparations an opaque white look, and the larger particles have found their way into skin scrubs as an abrasive ingredient.

Science

1
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of AluminumSilicate, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Trisilicate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Zirconium Silicate, Attapulgite, Bentonite, Fuller’s Earth, Hectorite, Kaolin,Lithium Magnesium Silicate, Lithium MagnesiumSodium Silicate, Montmorillonite, Pyrophyllite,and Zeolite. International Journal of Toxicology, 22(Suppl. 1):37–102, 2003.