Caramel Clay : Benefits and uses in natural cosmetics

Caramel clay is a mixture of Illite clay, Kaolin and Montmorillonite, it has effective absorption and adsorption properties. Known for its regenerating and nourishing properties, caramel clay is ideal for cosmetic care. In skin or hair care, it detoxifies and moisturizes. It is also used in make-up, thanks to its matifying effect and its caramel color giving a tanned effect. INCI name: Illite, Kaolin, Montmorillonite. Origin: France.

Modes of use of clays

In cosmetic care
  • Mask for skin or hair;
  • Exfoliating care;
  • Mud bath.
In therapeutic care
  • Cataplasm ;
  • Clay water;
  • Clay water.

For combination skin

Caramel clay is ideal for combination skin, thanks to its absorbing and cleansing properties it allows the maintenance of a balanced skin by regulating excess sebum while matifying the skin. Detoxifying and adsorbing, it will clean and purify the skin deeply, while avoiding dehydration.

  • Use as a mask: make a homogeneous clay paste to spread in a thin layer on the skin, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse. To do once a week.
  • Hydrolat and vegetable oil complementary: for greater effectiveness, it is possible to add a few drops of vegetable oil of Jojoba or hydrolat of Orange Blossom to your paste for example.

For fragile or blotchy skin

Caramel clay is also very effective for fragile or couperose skin, thanks to its healing and skin regenerating properties. It will thus allow to revitalize and regenerate the skin, while limiting the proliferation of impurities to keep a healthy skin. Nourishing, it will also soothe and hydrate the skin.

  • Use as a mask: make a paste of homogeneous clay to spread in a thin layer on the skin and in the affected areas weekly, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse.
  • Complementary essential oil: for greater effectiveness, it is possible to add a few drops of essential oil of Italian Helichrysum to your preparation in case of couperose.

For sensitive hair

Caramel clay can be used in hair care and especially to support sensitive hair. Detoxifying and adsorbing, it will capture impurities to purify the scalp and soothe it with its nourishing property.

  • Use as a mask: make a clay paste and spread over the entire scalp and hair as a mask. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clear water.
  • Complementary essential and vegetable oils: for greater effectiveness, it is possible to add a few drops of essential oil of Fine Lavender or Sweet Almond oil to the mask.

As a base for makeup

Caramel clay is ideal in makeup, especially thanks to its matifying property and its color, which brings out the skin's natural glow while providing a tanned effect.

  • Use as a powder: powder the face for a matte, tanned complexion, as with a loose powder.

Main properties of Caramel Clay

  • Detoxifying and adsorbing: the caramel clay will be adsorbing, cleansing and purifying. It allows to capture impurities, bacteria and other parasites at the skin level and thus to clean the skin thoroughly.
  • Matifying and absorbent: perfect for all skin types and especially combination skin. The caramel clay will, thanks to its absorbing action, have an excellent balancing effect thus regulating the secretion of sebum and matifying the skin.
  • Healing and regenerating:caramel clay revitalizes and regenerates the skin while bringing out a natural glow in the skin.
  • Nourishing: caramel clay maintains skin hydration while being softening especially in hair care.
  • Antibacterial: caramel clay limits the proliferation of impurities and thus keeps skin healthy.

Characteristics and composition

Cosmetic characteristics
  • Skin type: All skin types, but special mention for combination, fragile and blotchy skin
  • Hair type: all hair, but particularly suitable for sensitive hair
Mineralogical characteristics
  • INCI name: Illite, Kaolin and Montmorillonite
  • Country of origin : France

Physical Characteristics
  • Humidity: < 8
  • Particle size : 90 % < 100 µm / 100 % < 150 µm
  • pH : 8 to 9
  • CEC : 15 meq/100 g
Organoleptic characteristics
  • Appearance : superfine powder
  • Color: brown
  • Odor: odorless
Composition
  • Illite : 60 % ± 5
  • Kaolin : 25 % ± 3
  • Montmorillonite : 15 % ± 3
  • Quartz : none
  • Pb < 10 ppm
  • As < 10 ppm
  • Cd < 0.2 ppm
  • Hg < 0.05 ppm

Precautions for use

  • Ingesting, people prone to constipation should not use clays. Their use is also contraindicated in people with a digestive hernia, in cases of high blood pressure, a history of intestinal obstruction or nausea. Beware, ingestion of clay can counteract the effects of drug treatments. It is important to drink enough water during a clay treatment.
  • By skin, clay should not be reused, be sure to discard a clay that has already been used. Avoid letting a clay dry. Rinse with clear, cold or warm water. On the most hairy parts of the body, for maximum comfort, place a compress between the clay poultice and the skin.
  • When handling, beware of air currents, the clay is powdery. It should not be inhaled. In case of excessive inhalation, it is important to get fresh air. In case of contact with eyes or mucous membranes, rinse thoroughly with water. Caution, when handling clays, do not use metal utensils, they would lose much of their effectiveness.
  • Pregnant and nursing women and young children should seek medical advice before use.
  • Store preferably in a dry place, away from light and heat.

The company of the senses and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice delivered are taken from a reference bibliographic base (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to propose avenues of reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, a consultation or a medical follow-up, and cannot engage the responsibility of The company of the senses.