Can You Add Kaolin Clay to a Body Scrub?

You may be wondering, “Can you add kaolin clay to body scrub?” Yes, you can add kaolin clay to body scrubs. Kaolin clay adds exfoliating properties, skin benefits, and natural fun colors to a body scrub.

Kaolin has gentle exfoliating properties. It can loosen and wash away dead skin cells and leave your skin glowing. Adding kaolin clay to a sugar or salt scrub will give this clean skincare product more abrasive properties.

Adding kaolin clay to your body scrubs also adds a fun natural color. Some people will use mica to color their body scrubs. Although mica colors are considered natural, some would say that they can cause harm to the body and the way they are extracted from the earth is unethical.

The most common kaolin clay is white, but you can get it in rose or with a pink, green, yellow, or red tint. 

Kaolin Clay VS. Bentonite Clay

There are different clays you can use in your skincare products. The most common clays you will see in clean skincare products are kaolin and bentonite clay.

What are the main differences between kaolin and bentonite clay? There are a few notable differences when deciding what clay to use in your body scrub.

1. Absorption Properties

Kaolin clay is not as absorbent as bentonite clay. This makes kaolin clay best for sensitive and dry skin. Then again, it depends the color of kaolin clay for how gentle it is on sensitive skin. Typically, white kaolin clay is best for people with sensitive skin.

People with oily skin may prefer to use bentonite clay because it has a higher absorption level.

When looking at the absorption properties of kaolin vs. bentonite clay, Aidan Moran from Teadora lays out the water absorption levels of each clay. 

• Kaolin Clay: 65% absorption level
• Bentonite Clay: 300-700% absorption level

2. How They Are Made

Bentonite clay is from the ash of volcanoes in the presence of water. After it is extracted from the volcano, it is dried in the sun and filtered before being sold, mentions Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN. 

The main mineral in bentonite clay is montmorillonite. This mineral is known for its absorbing properties. In skin care products, bentonite clay will suck out the sebum and dirt from the skin. 

Kaolin clay was first found in the mountains of China. It is created by the weathering of aluminum silicate minerals. 

The primary mineral you will find in kaolin clay is kaolinite.

3. pH Levels

The pH levels of kaolin and bentonite clay are different.

Bentonite clay has a pH of 8 – 9.7. On the other hand, kaolin clay is a pH of 6.

When we think about our face skin pH levels at around 4.5 – 5.5, kaolin clay will be closer to our natural pH.

Types of Kaolin Clay

There are different types of kaolin clay that you can use in your body scrubs and skincare products.

1. White Kaolin Clay

White kaolin clay is the most common. It is best for normal, dry, and sensitive skin types. 

It does not draw oils from the skin like other kaolin clays.

Because white kaolin clay does not contain as strong absorption properties as other kaolin clays, it is safe and beneficial for dry skin types.

2. Rose Kaolin Clay

You can use rose kaolin clay for normal to dry skin. It is also known for improving the skin’s circulation.

The minerals that give this clay the rose color are copper, selenium, manganese magnesium, and zinc, mentions Aidan Moran from Teadora.

Another benefit of rose kaolin clay is that it adds some pinkish color to your body scrubs. Rose kaolin clay is a safe and natural coloring agent for your skincare products.

3. Green Kaolin Clay

Green kaolin clay has a higher absorption level. This absorption level makes it best for those who have oily or acne-prone skin.

The green kaolin clay is given its green color because of its levels of iron oxide and the large, ancient plant matter deposits near where it is found.

4. Yellow Kaolin Clay

Yellow kaolin clay has a low absorption rate. Mainly dry, sensitive, and normal skin benefit from yellow kaolin clay.

The minerals that yellow kaolin clay contains are titanium, potassium, and silicon.

Durablehealth mentions yellow kaolin clay helps the formation of collagen and protects the skin against aging.

5. Red Kaolin Clay

Red kaolin clay is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This kaolin clay has a higher absorption level making it better for oily and acne-prone skin types. 

The minerals that red kaolin clay contains are iron oxide and copper. It is also low in aluminum.

Skincare Products with Kaolin Clay

Here are a few clean skincare products that use kaolin clay as an ingredient.

100% Pure Charcoal Clay Cleanser contains kaolin clay. This face cleanser is beneficial for all skin types and leaves your complexion glowing.

BareMinerals also has their Poreless Clay Cleanser that has kaolin clay as an ingredient. This cleanser will help reduce excess oil to give your skin a healthy look.

Conclusion 

When using clay at high concentrations, you will need to listen to your skin. Some clays at high concentrations will dry out your skin. 

Using clays in a body scrub, you will not need to worry about the clay drying out your skin due to it not staying on your skin for a long time like a clay facial mask.

Clay in body scrubs also adds more exfoliating properties. It will help make your body scrub more abrasive when mixed with sugar or salt.

Using clay in your body scrubs will add a fun hint of color. This color is from a natural, mineral-based source adds benefits to your skin. 

Try adding kaolin clay to a body scrub in your next DIY recipe!