The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask

Review

Does The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask work?

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

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Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
60
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Kaolin
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Stearic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Dimethyl Sulfone
Function:
Origin:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Decyl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Cellulose Gum
Function:
Origin:
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Cetyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sea Water Extract
Function:
Origin:
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Function:
Origin:
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil
Function:
Origin:
Geranium Maculatum Extract
Function:
Origin:
Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Equisetum Arvense Extract
Function:
Origin:
Spirulina Maxima Extract
Function:
Origin:
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %60
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Kaolin
Est. %9
Function
Origin
KaolinA 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.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl StearateAn emollient and emulsifier typically derived from vegetable sources through a chemical reaction with glycerin. It provides stability, texture, and consistency to formulations. Its main function is to allow oil and water to mix.
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OilA fatty oil pressed from safflower seeds that is used as an occlusive moisturizer and emollient. It contains unusually high amounts of linoleic acid (up to 70%), as well as antioxidant compounds such as vitamin E, phytosterols, and phenolics.
Stearic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Stearic AcidA saturated fatty acid found in vegetable butter and animal fats. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient and also helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilA fatty oil expressed from sunflower seeds and one of the most commonly used oils in skincare. It has great emollient and occlusive moisturizing properties. Sunflower oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin E – an important skin antioxidant.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Cetearyl AlcoholA blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Magnesium Aluminum SilicateA naturally occurring clay that is hygroscopic, which means that it easily absorbs water. This ingredient is thus commonly used as an absorbent and emulsion stabilizer. It also modifies slip by improving the spreadability of the products it is used in.
Sodium Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium StearateA naturally derived thickener with emulsifying and cleansing properties.
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Dimethyl Sulfone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dimethyl Sulfone
Centella Asiatica Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Centella Asiatica ExtractAn extract from the leaves of the Gotu kola. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. It increases the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl CaprylateA waxy solid derived from vegetable oils that has emollient and emulsifying properties. It is also known to boost the efficacy of organic acid preservatives by destabilizing the microbe's cell membrane.
Decyl Glucoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Decyl GlucosideA surfactant that can function as both a cleansing agent and emulsifier. As a cleansing agent, it is very mild on the skin. As an emulsifier, decyl glucoside will produce oil-in-water emulsions. It is naturally derived from vegetable oils and starch.
Cellulose Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cellulose GumA polymer that is derived from its namesake, cellulose, which is plant-based. It has many formula-helper benefits, including thickening and product stabilization.
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) OilA famous occlusive moisturizing and emollient oil. It is derived from coconuts and may give a product a lovely coconut scent. Coconut oil is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Cetyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetyl AlcoholA waxy solid fatty alcohol derived from palm oil. It is most commonly used as a co-emulsifier and affects the final aesthetic of the product, leaving a soft and silky feeling on the skin. Cetyl alcohol is also used as a viscosity controlling agent.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Sodium Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CarbomerLike Carbomer, only pre-reacted so that no neutralization is required. Carbomer based gels are clear and have a non-sticky smooth feel. Many high end cosmetics will use carbomers as part of their formula to build body without making a product feel heavy.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) ExtractAn extract obtained from Giant kelp that is rich in gel-forming and thickening polysaccharides.
Sea Water Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sea Water Extract
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Chondrus Crispus ExtractAn extract from the species of red marine algae called Irish moss or carrageen moss. It is edible and widely used to produce carrageenan, a polysaccharide with humectant moisturizing and soothing properties.
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed OilAn emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.
Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower ExtractA fragrant extract derived from the flowers of the Italian honeysuckle. It has a pleasant, sweet, floral scent. Not much is known about its compounds and their functions.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Leaf Extract
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Panthenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran OilExtracted from the outer layer of rice grains, this oil is rich in occlusive moisturizing and emollient omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and a potent antioxidant γ-oryzanol. It may have beneficial effects on dry or sun-damaged skin, as well as eczema.
Geranium Maculatum Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Geranium Maculatum Extract
Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Extract
Equisetum Arvense Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Equisetum Arvense ExtractA soothing extract from the green part of the horsetail, a non-flowering plant that contains a lot of minerals beneficial for skin growth, antioxidant flavonoids, and astringent tannins.
Spirulina Maxima Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Spirulina Maxima ExtractA dark green emollient and antioxidant extract derived from spirulina - a dried mass of tiny blue-green algae. It is rich in proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins (namely B1 and B2).
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel OilA fatty oil expressed from the seed kernels of apricot fruits. This oil is an emollient and occlusive moisturizer comprised of around 60% oleic acid, followed by linoleic and palmitic acid, carotenoids, vitamin E, and other antioxidant compounds.