Collection: Argiles cosmétiques

Clays’ inherent mineral pigments offer a natural way to colour soap. These naturally occurring colourants, for example, iron oxide, result in muted, earthy hues when mixed with soap batter. 

French green, as its name implies, is a great option for those looking to achieve a soft green tone, whilst kaolin is a natural white. French pink and red showcase subtle rosy and deep rustic shades respectively. The final shade and intensity of your soap can vary based on the clay quantity, alongside the exact soap making methods used.

Clay is one of the most effective natural ingredients for cleansing and clearing oily skin! In most cases, its natural ability to absorb excess oil and impurities can leave this skin type feeling refreshed and balanced. 

Some popular clay types found in oily skin formations include French green (rich in Iron and silica found to nourish the skin), bentonite (a natural detoxifying agent with added exfoliating abilities perfect for the removal of blackheads and oil buildup), and kaolin (a gentle, mild option perfect for those with sensitive skin).

Want to learn more about using clay in your skincare recipes? Why not visit our blog?

Natural clays are a simple yet effective bath and body ingredient. It works in a relatively simple manner - relying on its natural properties (mostly a unique electrostatic charge) and mineral-rich composition to deliver a whole range of benefits. 

Most clays work directly upon application, drawing impurities (primarily those made up of oils) out of the skin and pores, and trapping them - ready to be rinsed off with water. This helps it create a light, silky feel on the skin post-application, with many types of clay able to offer additional benefits including exfoliating and brightening properties.

Here at The Soapery, we’re firm believers in finding the best ingredients for your unique formula - meaning in our eyes, there’s no one ‘best’ clay for skin! Instead, there’s a whole list to choose from! Some of soap and cosmetics experts’ favourites include Kaolin (the original cosmetics clay perfect for sensitive skin and recipes involving added colourants), French green (a mineral-rich option with a beautiful muted green tone perfect for natural products), bentonite (a classic ingredient packed with calcium, magnesium, and potassium), and French Pink (renowned for its gentle exfoliation and skin-softening attributes).

Cosmetic clays, also known as mineral clays, are an ingredient type derived directly from the earth. In most contexts, they’re formed over thousands of years through the erosion of rocks - a process resulting in the concentration of minerals from iron to silica and beyond. 

The minerals present in the clay play a large factor in its classification - for example, Kaolin clay is composed mostly of kaolinite, as its name suggests. 

Before being listed for sale, said clays are carefully mined, lightly processed to remove impurities such as rocks and soil, and packaged up, mostly in the form of a powder ready for rehydration in cosmetics and soap making.

Cosmetic clays’ powder format makes storage simple! In most cases, depending on where you’ve ordered from, all you’ve got to do is keep your clay sealed in its original airtight packaging. If that no longer has a seal, simply make the transfer to more suitable packaging, such as a tub or ziplock bag!

When using cosmetic clays after storage, be sure to keep your environment and tools clean - for example, always scoop with a clean utensil to avoid contaminating the rest of your batch! If you're using a clay that’s meant to be mixed with water, use distilled or purified water to help prevent any unwanted bacteria from growing.

Cosmetic clays, when used correctly, can be hugely beneficial to a number of skin types, drawing on their natural oil-pulling, purifying, exfoliating, and cleansing properties to wash away everything from blackheads to general buildup. With this being said, the way in which clay is should be taken into consideration. 

Whilst the perfect formula can achieve all of the above and more, some types of natural clay can be drying and sensitising if not used properly. Be sure to thoroughly test new formulas, and double-check your recipes when working with clay in order to achieve the best possible results on skin.

Kaolin clay is considered to be the original cosmetics clay for good reason! Boasting a ‘blank canvas’ white colour perfect for all sorts of creative crafting, alongside a beautifully soft texture and fine grain, this natural skincare ingredient ticks all the boxes at a glance. 

Beyond looks and feel, kaolin brings some brilliant properties to the table. It’s naturally mild and gentle - but able to exfoliate all the same - making it the perfect option for many with sensitive skin in need of a suitable face mask. 

The benefits don’t end there - it’s also, in line with most other clays, a brilliant detoxifying and cleansing agent, able to lift oil and impurities straight from the skin surface.

Clays are a common soap ingredient renowned for their unique properties. The perfect natural solution for suds and skincare, most cosmetic clays are excellent cleansers, working to remove impurities from the skin with ease. In addition, they can be used as a colourant. For instance, Kaolin clay is great for sensitive skin, while French green clay can lend a lovely muted green hue. French pink clay is revered for its gentle cleansing properties and gorgeous colour. When adding clays to soap, it's crucial to mix them with a small amount of water or oil before incorporating them into the soap batter to prevent clumping. Be sure to consult a trusted clay soap recipe to ensure your creation is a success.