| What is it? |
Pale green, smooth Illite clay that’s mined in France. It is mostly illite clay with some kaolinite and smectite. |
| INCI |
Illite |
| Appearance |
Fine, pale green powder. |
| Usage rate |
Up to 100% |
| Texture |
Smooth and light when dry, smooth and creamy when mixed with water. |
| Scent |
Nothing noticeable, perhaps a bit dusty. |
| pH |
7.75 |
| Solubility |
Insoluble |
| Why do we use it in formulations? |
I mostly love it in face masks—I’ve found it really agrees with my complexion and is brilliant for purging pores without being too drying. I’ll also include it in soap as clay in soap makes for a lovely creamy bar, but it’ll also turn the soap green, so I’ll only use it if I want the final soap to be green. |
| Do you need it? |
Only if you’re a face mask junkie; like most coloured clays this one isn’t terribly useful if you don’t love it for face masks. |
| Strengths |
Fantastic for face masks if your skin likes French green clay. |
| Weaknesses |
Not hugely useful for much else. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions |
It’s reasonably easily substituted for other French clays and other light, smooth clays like kaolin or zeolite. |
| How to Work with It |
As French green clay is a fine powder, be sure to wear a dust mask around it if it’s going to become aerosolized (like if you’re whipping it up in a coffee grinder). |
| Storage & Shelf Life |
Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, French green clay will have an indefinite shelf life. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks |
When blending French green clay into a liquid, slowly whisk it into water (as opposed to adding water to the clay) for the smoothest possible blend. |
| Recommended starter amount |
100g (3oz) |
| Where to Buy it |
Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
