Kaolin

Kaolin

Moderate hazardMolecular weight 258.2 (based on the ideal formula Al2Si2O5(OH)4)

What does Kaolin do for skin?

A white clay (mineral) made of aluminium and silicon. Its large surface area physically adsorbs sebum and oil. Weaker adsorption than bentonite, so it is the gentler one.

Dose on file: N/A

Is Kaolin safe in skincare?

Moderate hazardHazard 6/10

CIR insufficient data

Based on

  • Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel

    Not enough data · CIR report 809 conclusion

Is Kaolin classified as a carcinogen?

Only four bodies count here: IARC, EU CLP, US NTP and California Prop 65.

Not classified by IARC, EU CLP, US NTP, or California Prop 65.

How is Kaolin regulated?

Cosmetic ingredient

Kaolin is widely sold as a clay-mask cosmetic ingredient. It also appears in the FDA skin protectant monograph (4-20%), but every real-world product in this catalog's context is a cosmetic clay mask.

Kaolin benefits for skin, by concern

These raw scores are only shown here, in the ingredient dictionary.

  • Sebum Control3.0

    Dose on file: N/A

    Zhang et al. 2023 (n=60): sebum fell 68.97% right after application and a 24-30% reduction was kept with 1-4 weeks of repeated use (all p<0.001). A combined mud pack containing kaolin, bentonite and others, so the stand-alone contribution of kaolin is not separated. Because it is physical adsorption the immediate effect is large, which differs from biological suppression that reduces the secretion itself.

    • Reference: Zhang X et al., 2023
  • Pores2.0

    Dose on file: N/A

    Zhang et al. 2023 (n=60, mud pack): immediate sebum 68.97%, 24-30% reduction with 1-4 weeks of repeated use (all p<0.001). A combined formulation with kaolin, bentonite and other moisturising ingredients, so kaolin's stand-alone contribution is not separated. Pore size was not measured directly - it is an indirect inference that less sebum makes pores look less prominent.

    • Reference: Zhang X et al., 2023

Products that list this ingredient

275 products in our catalog list this ingredient. Here are the 12 with the most reviews.

Sources (2)

  • Reference: Zhang X et al., 2023
  • Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel

Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.

Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.