Illite ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily an absorbent and texture modifier, used to bind oil, add slip, thicken suspensions, and give masks or powders a soft mineral feel.
What does Illite do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily an absorbent and texture modifier, used to bind oil, add slip, thicken suspensions, and give masks or powders a soft mineral feel.
Is Illite clean?
It is generally accepted in clean-beauty frameworks when cosmetic-grade, purified, and tested for trace elements. Skin irritation potential is low, though dry powders can create nuisance dust during manufacturing or very loose application.
Is Illite sustainable?
This material is mined from natural mineral deposits, so it is not renewable, but it is abundant, inert, and minimally processed compared with many synthetic ingredients. It does not biodegrade because it is inorganic, but it is not expected to bioaccumulate in the way persistent organic compounds can.
Is Illite COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS natural and organic products when sourced as a natural mineral and processed by allowed physical methods such as washing, drying, milling, and sieving. Its Green Chemistry fit is strongest on simple processing and low reactivity, and weaker on renewable feedstock because it comes from mining.
How does Illite work chemically?
This material is a hydrated potassium, aluminum, magnesium, and iron aluminosilicate with a layered 2:1 sheet structure and high surface area, which supports oil absorption and suspension stabilization. In masks and cleansers it may appear from low single digits to high paste levels, is stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges, and requires good dispersion to limit clumping or settling.
Last updated 2026-05-13