Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay

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 formulations?	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.

Some Formulations that Use Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti clay

• Fuller’s Earth Calming Lavender Face Mask
• Clay & Soap Bar
• DIY Healing Concealer
• Bronze Shimmer Stick
• Gentle Spiced Face Mask