| What is it? | Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay is a naturally occurring clay. It has long been used in skin care as a brightening and purifying face mask. It also has a history of use in wool production, being used to remove oil from the wool as it’s a great oil absorber. |
| INCI | Fuller’s Earth |
| Appearance | Cream to beige fine powder |
| Usage rate | Up to 100% |
| Texture | Smooth, fine powder |
| Scent | A bit dusty |
| Solubility | Insoluble |
| Why do we use it in recipes? | Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay can be combined with liquid to create a face mask. It can be used as a mild physical exfoliant/abrasive, and can be added to soap to make it creamier. |
| Do you need it? | No |
| Strengths | Simple, smooth clay with a long history of use. |
| Weaknesses | I haven’t been particularly taken with it over any of the other clays. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | I’d use kaolin clay instead as my first choice. After that, another smooth clay like French green clay would be a good choice. I would not use bentonite clay instead. |
| How to Work with It | Take care not to inhale large amounts of Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay. When blending with liquid I recommend adding small amounts of clay to the liquid, whisking until smooth before adding more clay. Add at trace in soap making (start with 1–2 tbsp/500g of oils). |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay should last indefinitely. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay has many non-DIY uses, including cat litter and a poisoning treatment! |
| Recommended starter amount | 100g (3.3oz) |
| Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
Check out my book!
Make it Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care is now available at booksellers all over the world!