Kaolin Clay – Ingredient Spotlight

Kaolin Clay has many common names including White clay, Kaolinite, China clay, or Porcelain clay just to name a few.

It’s found across the globe from China to Europe to the United States. The Kaolin Clay from Essential Wholesale is naturally mined and produced in the United States.

Because this natural clay is mined from the earth it contains minerals that give slight color variations from a yellow or green hue to bright white. Kaolinite is the main mineral found in Kaolin and is responsible for the bright white color. Generally, people consider whiter clay to be of higher quality.

Kaolinite has a low shrink–swell capacity, which means that it doesn’t swell up that much when it is wet (compared to other absorbent and swelling clays like Bentonite).

This abundant and versatile clay has been used for centuries for a wide variety of purposes. It was most likely originally used to make pottery, but today Kaolin is used in ceramics, medicine, coated paper, as a food additive, in toothpaste, as a light diffusing material in white incandescent light bulbs, and of course in hair and skincare.

Kaolin Clay Benefits for Hair and Skin

I am often in awe of how nature provides us with exactly what we need to take spectacular care of our bodies inside and out. Kaolin Clay is one of those nature provided ingredients that seems to do everything. Here are just a few benefits:

1. Cleanses Skin: Kaolin is a very gentle cleanser and its completely and naturally surfactant free! You can simply hydrate the clay by itself and use as a cleanser or you can also add other ingredients to address your particular needs. Either way, this mild clay is a fantastic choice for sensitive or troubled skin.
2. Soothing: Kaolin is the mildest of clays and is very calming for the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation.
3. Exfoliating: Because Kaolin is an insoluble substance when hydrated it is gently abrasive helping to exfoliant and reveal your best complexion.
4. Oil Absorbing: Kaolin clings to oils and helps to remove oils and all the dirt and other impurities trapped by oils on the hair and skin. Kaolin is especially beneficial for natural hair cleansing.  Simply hydrate the kaolin with Apple Cider Vinegar and a little water and you have a quick and easy “shampoo” that will leave your hair clean and shiny!

Check out masks and cleansers with Kaolin from Essential Wholesale and give this Surfactant-free solid cleansing bar recipe a try! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way this bar melts on my skin in the shower!

Surfactant-Free Solid Cleansing Bar

This solid cleansing bar melts onto your skin like a dream in the shower or bath. The Kaolin Clay gently cleanses skin while the butters and macadamia nut oil leave skin feeling silky soft.

Equipment You’ll Need

Glass or non-metal Mixing Bowl
Measuring cups/spoons or scale
Stovetop safe beaker or pot
Silicone soap molds – any shape or size – we used 3oz molds

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate
Approximate yield:1 Pound (approximately 5 – 6  3oz bars)
Approximate cost per pound:$11.00
Suggested packaging:  Soap bar packaging – check out our video –https://youtu.be/-wk5y0I3pD0
Suggested retail price: $5 – $8 per bar

Ingredient	Weight (Pounds)	Kitchen Measurements	Approximate Percentage by weight
Kaolin Clay	0.3030	1 ¾ Cup	30%
USDA Certified Organic deodorized Cocoa Butter Wafers	0.2020	¾ Cup	20%
Macadamia Nut Oil	0.1515	1/3 Cup	15%
Goat Milk Powder	0.0909	1/3 Cup	10%
USDA Certified Organic Shea Butter	0.1010	¼ Cup	10%
Oatmeal	0.1515	¾ Cup	15%

 

Directions

1. In a glass or non-metal bowl, add kaolin clay, goat milk powder, and oatmeal. Mix together using a wooden or non-metal utensil. Set aside and move to next step.
2. Add the cocoa butter wafers and macadamia nut oil to your beaker or pot. Heat until fully melted then remove from heat and add shea butter. The residual heat should melt the shea butter, but if it isn’t melting, gently heat until fully melted.
3. Pour melted butters and oils onto the dry mixture in your glass or non-metal bowl. Mix slowly and gently with a non-metal utensil until uniform and smooth.
4. Pour into your silicone molds and refrigerate until fully solid. This took about 1 hour for our bars.
5. Use in the bath or shower in place of soap bars!

Please note that this recipe has not been challenge tested for preservation efficacy. Even though the recipe provided is anhydrous, if you use this recipe for market sales, it is up to you to ensure the safety of the product.