| What is it? | Kaolin clay is a fine, smooth clay that comes in a variety of colours (white, red, green, pink, yellow, and orange). I tend to use white 99% of the time I use kaolin. |
| Appearance | A light, fluffy, fine powder. |
| Texture | Smooth and creamy when blended with water. Light and smooth when dry. |
| Scent | A bit dusty? Nothing terribly noticeable. |
| pH | 6 |
| Solubility | Insoluble |
| Why do we use it in recipes? | It’s a great all-purpose clay; in terms of strength it’s pretty middle-of-the-road, making it great for face masks for all skin types. I also love the white stuff in cosmetics and body powders as it helps boost adhesion and manage moisture. |
| Do you need it? | If you were only going to purchase one clay, I’d recommend white kaolin. |
| Strengths | Kaolin is extremely versatile and is a fantastic all-around clay. |
| Weaknesses | If you’ve got very oily skin you might find kaolin clay isn’t strong enough for you. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Other light clays (the French clays, zeolite) can work similarly well in face masks and soap. In anything where you need your clay to be white, white kaolin is your best choice by a mile. |
| How to Work with It | As kaolin 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, kaolin has an indefinite shelf life. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | When blending kaolin 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. |
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!