Understanding the most popular types of clay

From the renowned bedrock quarries of France, the fertile Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and the plentiful volcanic ash sediments in the United States, naturally occurring clays are rich in silica, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, and other beneficial minerals, which make wonderful ingredients in skin-pampering beauty recipes.

Bentonite clay (1):

Also known as sodium bentonite and sodium montmorillonite, this light gray, odorless, and very fine clay has a high content of the minerals silica and aluminum. It is found in natural volcanic ash sediments in Montana and Wyoming, in the United States. Used in facial mud treatments, body powders, dry shampoos, and scrubs. Color: Pale to light gray Odor: Neutral Price: Economically priced Country of origin: Wyoming and Montana, the United States Notable mineral content: Silica, aluminum, iron, magnesium

French green clay (2):

Also known as illite clay and sea clay, this light- to medium-green clay is mined from quarries that can be thousands of feet deep in France, China, and the United States. French green clay is rich in silica, aluminum, calcium, iron, and magnesium. A very fine-textured clay that is used to absorb oils and impurities from the face and body. Color: Light to medium green Odor: Neutral Price: Expensively priced Country of origin: France, United States, China Notable mineral content: Silica, aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium.

Fuller’s Earth clay (3):

Contains a high amount of silica, magnesium oxide, and sapphire crystal. This off-white clay is the most popular clay for the oily and congested skin. Very drying and oil absorbing. Color: Pale to off-white Odor: Neutral Price: Moderately priced Country of origin: United States, Japan, Mexico Notable mineral content: Silica, magnesium, iron oxide, and sapphire crystal

Rhassoul clay (4):

Also known as red Moroccan clay and red clay, this light grayish/pink clay comes from Morocco and is high in silica, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. This particular type of clay is used in spas throughout the world to pamper the skin. Color: Light gray to pinkish Odor: Neutral Price: Moderately to expensively priced Country of origin: Morocco Notable mineral content: Silica, aluminum, magnesium, calcium

White kaolin clay (5):

Also known as white cosmetic clay and China clay, this pure white clay is used extensively in numerous beauty products, including soaps, face masks, natural deodorants, and face and body scrubs and powders. High in kaolinite, silicon oxide, and aluminum oxide. Color: Pure white Odor: Neutral Price: Economically priced Country of origin: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Australia Notable mineral content: Kaolinite, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide

Understanding the most popular types of clay