The use of kaolin clay in soap making cannot be deemed as something entirely new. For years, many manufacturers have been utilizing this natural resource as the essential ingredient of their beauty products, particularly soap. Indeed, it’s not for nothing that kaolin clay is incorporated into all-natural soap making.

What is Kaolin Clay?

Kaolin, also widely known as China clay, white clay, or hectorite, is a soft clay that can be found in nature or produced in a laboratory. The name itself derives from the Chinese village of “Gaoling” located in Jiangxi province.

While the purest form of this clay is white, it generally comes in a hue that varies based on the chemical content where it is mined. Kaolin in reddish colors, for instance, is primarily caused by higher-level contents of iron oxide. 

Kaolin is used for beauty and health in addition to paper and pottery making. However, in regards to kaolin clay in soap making, it serves as a drying agent that can also increase texture and absorbency.

In comparison to other clays, white clay is known for being the most gentle clay on sensitive skin. This reason itself makes it suitable for soap manufacturing, and mainly those are produced for people with skin conditions.

Benefits of Kaolin Clay in Soap Making

Kaolin clay doesn’t have a wide array of benefits for the skin. However, soap made out of kaolin clay can make an excellent option for people with skin conditions, such as oily or dry complexion. It could also be an excellent addition to your beauty routine that you might never imagine for the following reasons:

1. It’s Excellent for Body Odor

Some generic body soaps come with a lovely fragrance and never fail to make people take them right away from the store shelves when they smell them. However, the scent of these bars is often unable to stick on the skin for an extended period of time after every shower.

However, soaps made from kaolin clay are a whole different story. This clay has a penchant for being able to anchor fragrance. Many utilize kaolin clay for soap, making for its high absorbency. Kaolin soap can retain its scents longer; thus, the aroma sticks on the skin even hours after a shower.

2. It Makes a Great Facial Cleanser

As mentioned previously, kaolin clay is gentle on the skin. Even so, it makes a highly efficient facial cleanser enriched with minerals that are beneficial for the skin. These include zinc, calcium, magnesium, and silica. 

Kaolin clay-based facial cleansing bars are not regular soaps. These bars won’t foam up but improve the skin by removing impurities from skin pores, sloughing dead skin, and enhancing the smoothness of the skin.

Related: 5 Steps How to Make a Face Mask with Kaolin Clay

3. Great for Skin With Conditions

The mineral content of kaolin is not only assisting in cleaning the skin. Those minerals are also perfect for those with skin problems. It contains an abundance of skin-nourishing benefits, which is especially noteworthy because it has distinct properties that can treat various skin issues.

Some health manufacturers use kaolin clay in soap making because it’s one of the effortless ways to make the most of its natural healing properties. In addition, kaolin is a naturally occurring material with a low iron content that does exceptionally well in treating sensitive skin.

Moreover, kaolin soap specifically made for facial cleansers can absorb excess sebum and prevent pore-clogging. It may also help with acne treatment, thanks to its anti-bacterial characteristics. The minerals made up of kaolin chemical formula can eliminate blemishes and refresh skin.

Best Types of Kaolin Clay in Soap Making

Regardless of the type of kaolin utilized, every kaolin-based soap can make an excellent exfoliator. However, each type of kaolin clay serves different benefits. Take a look at the following list to determine which type of kaolin works best for your soap-making needs.

1. Red Kaolin

Red kaolin is the most absorbent of its types. The red hue of this kind is primarily due to the high concentration of iron oxide on its origins. This mineral assists in softening skin, making it widely used in the making of the body or facial cleaning soaps.

In addition, red kaolin-based soaps are also great for aging skin. Clinical studies have even revealed that this variety can enhance skin elasticity by 173% and increase skin firmness by 37%.

2. Pink Kaolin

Pink or rose kaolin clay gets its lovely color from the minerals that made it up. These minerals include zinc, magnesium, selenium, and copper. It has a pH level that is most similar to that of human skin, making it ideal for people with delicate skin.

Beauty manufacturers mainly use this variety of kaolin clay in soap making because it’s a highly absorbent ingredient that can remove impurities while providing gentleness to the skin. It’s also ideal for normal skin as the soap absorbs sebums without removing the skin’s natural oils.

3. Yellow Kaolin

While yellow kaolin absorbent properties are not as high as pink or red kaolin, it’s still an excellent exfoliator. This variety works well on the majority of skin types, including the ones with conditions.

Yellow kaolin is mainly used to improve skin tone and boost circulation. This sort of kaolin clay can usually be found in clay-based face masks as well as facial soaps specifically intended for those who want to regain the youthful appearance of their skin.

4. White Klay

White kaolin is often considered the ideal option for all-natural soap-making industries. Due to its less absorbent properties, this type of kaolin is perfect for sensitive skin. Although white kaolin exfoliates, it does so at a relatively lower level.

This variant is prevalent in facial mask and soap-making businesses. When it’s incorporated as one of the ingredients of facial soaps, the clay improves the suppleness of the skin, which helps to reduce wrinkles.

Final Thoughts

Kaolin clay is one of the clay varieties that has been used by many for centuries. In terms of using kaolin clay in soap making, there are no recognized risks of using kaolin clay-based soaps to the skin. However, the benefits have proven to be beneficial for most.