Bentonite Clay ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily an absorbent and rheology modifier, used to soak up excess oil, thicken water-based formulas, and help suspend pigments or particles. It can also add a soft, matte feel in masks, cleansers, and powders.
What does Bentonite Clay do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily an absorbent and rheology modifier, used to soak up excess oil, thicken water-based formulas, and help suspend pigments or particles. It can also add a soft, matte feel in masks, cleansers, and powders.
Is Bentonite Clay clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well accepted because it is mineral-derived, minimally processed, and not a common sensitizer. The main quality consideration is supplier testing for trace metals and managing airborne dust during manufacturing or powder use.
Is Bentonite Clay sustainable?
This material is mined from natural deposits, so its footprint depends on land management, extraction practices, and transport distance. It is inorganic and not biodegradable, but it is a naturally occurring mineral with low environmental mobility when used in rinse-off or topical products.
Is Bentonite Clay COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when obtained and processed according to the standard’s mineral-ingredient rules. Its Green Chemistry fit is strongest on low chemical transformation and simple processing, with weaker alignment on renewability because it comes from finite mineral deposits.
How does Bentonite Clay work chemically?
The molecule is not a single molecule, but a layered aluminosilicate mineral system with exchangeable sodium or calcium ions that allows water uptake, swelling, and gel formation. Typical use ranges are about 0.5 to 3% for viscosity or suspension support and much higher in masks or powders, and performance can change with electrolytes, shear, and hydration time.
Last updated 2026-05-13