Kaolin Clay Uses, White, Powder, in Cosmetics & Skin

There are many kaolin clay uses in cosmetics. It has been noted to possess unique chemical and physical properties that make it applicable in diverse settings. Is kaolin clay powder used in cosmetics? Some of the outstanding uses of the clay are in cosmetics industry as well as the pharmaceutical sector.

Kaolin clay is a unique soil type that is frequently found in tropical rain forest and other regions with relatively high temperatures. It has unique chemical and physical properties that make it applicable in diverse settings. Some of the outstanding uses of the clay are in cosmetics industry and the pharmaceutical sector.

Adverse effects of Kaolin Clay

However, the clay has also been noted to exhibit characteristic adverse effects that should be taken into account before adoption as a cosmetic or pharmaceutical agent. Some of the major side effects of the clay include;

• Toxicity,
• Pulmonary problems,
• Pregnancy-related challenges, and
• Constipation

In spite of the noted challenges, the kaolin clay is widely used in different societies for different purposes.

How to Use Kaolin Clay

There are many ways to use kaolin clay.  Some of the major uses of kaolin clay in the healthcare sector include management of diarrhea and as kaolin poultice. In the first case, the clay helps to absorb the bacterial agents involved in the causation of diarrhea.

In the latter case, kaolin clay is used to manage minor injuries from scratches and insect bites, and is also key in management of skin irritation. The adoption for management of inflammation is common in domestic animals such as dogs and horses.

Skin care is another area where the agent is widely used, especially in the management of acne and as a facial pack. Also, kaolin bath has shown significant impact on skin care. The use of kaolin clay as hair mask is another key area that is promising to revolutionize cosmetics industry.

Calcined Kaolin Clay Uses

There are different forms of kaolin clay produced in different countries and adopted for different roles.

Calcined Kaolin Clay is mainly found in china and has a wide array of uses. It is anhydrous aluminum silicate that is generated at high temperatures.

The high degree of whiteness in this type of kaolin clay is a result of the calcination process which is also involved in the hardening of kaolin clay. Moreover, calcination helps to diversify texture, shapes and sizes of the clay particles.

Some of the major uses of Calcined kaolin clay include:

1. Manufacture of porcelain
2. The manufacture of rubber.
3. Used to develop paint which is applied in industrial as well as domestic beautification processes. The fine-granuled clay has thus evolved to be a signature ingredient in Chinese art industry.

Kaolin Clay Used in Diarrhea Treatment

Kaolinite clay has proved effective in the treatment of diarrhea.

• This effectiveness can be attributed to the advanced adsorptive property of China clay.

Basically, the clay absorbs the bacteria that are the primary causatives of diarrhea. As such, the population of the microbes in the gut is highly limited.

• A major advantage of using kaolin clay in diarrhea management is that it lacks side effects.
• More importantly, it can be used together with other medications, though it may be incompatible with others.
• Also, kaolin clay can be used for diarrhea management in children and pregnant women who often have limited immunological defenses.

The use of kaolin clay in diarrhea management is not limited to human beings. Instead, it has proved effective in dogs and other pets.

In such cases, it is given at 4 hour intervals for maximal potency. However, the use of the medicinal clay in different organisms should be effected under strict supervision due to the likely dangers.

Using Kaolin Poultice

While pharmacological remedies are prevalent in current environment, kaolin has since been established to be effective in management of minor scratches on the body. In addition, kaolin clay uses in managing itches and insect bites. It is also useful in treating minor burns.

The key benefit of adopting kaolin poultice is its soothing nature which helps to resolve irritation much faster. Further, kaolin poultice is key in treating inflammatory conditions in pets.

It is gentle nature also raises hopes that it can be used in children without significant side reactions.

In addition, kaolin can be used to manage:

1. Itches
2. Insect bites
3. In treating minor burns
4. Kaolin poultice has a soothing nature which helps to resolve irritation much faster
5. Kaolin poultice is key in treating inflammatory conditions in pets
6. Its gentle nature also raises hopes that it can be used in children without significant side reactions

How to use Kaolin Clay Poultice

Using kaolin poultice may be challenging for newbies. However,  the following procedure can be helpful.

1. Boil some water
2. Mix two tablespoons of kaolin with adequate amount of boiled water to form a paste
3. Apply on an affected area as natural remedy.
4. Apply a thick cotton on the affected area. This is a protective measure that helps to prevent contamination of the affected region.
5. The cotton is first soaked in hot water to become wet. It is then squeezed to remove all the water while leaving the cotton wet.
6. This is then spread on the kaolin poultice to prevent faster drying of the poultice.
7. Individuals who are not focused on making the poultice can buy the ready mixed poultice available in the market.

Kaolin Clay used in Winter Bath

There are people with skin types that are prone to drying. This is especially common during winter season. Kaolin bath can be used as a remedy to this condition. It helps to rehydrate the skin hence preventing intense drying.

The success of kaolin bath in the management of skin moisture is based on its richness in minerals. This is a property shared with other types of clay.

Kaolin bath for management of dry skin, however, involves addition of few drops of lemon or orange which play significant therapeutic roles. It is soaked in aromatic bath for about ten minutes to be fully effective.

Kaolin Clay used in Making Soap

Closely related to the use of kaolin clay in kaolin bath is its use in the manufacture of soap. This use is directly linked to the soothing property of kaolin clay. In addition, its rich and nourishing nutrient composition is a critical factor in its application in the manufacture of soaps and other cosmetic products.

The procedure involved in making the soap is as follows;

1. Obtain kaolin clay
2. Add other ingredients such as lemon and honey in a bowl
3. Add water or appropriate solvent then stir
4. Add essential minerals if necessary
5. Continue stirring until a consistent paste is formed
6. Allow the paste to stand for some minutes to dehydrate

Kaolin bath has since proved effective for people suffering from diverse skin conditions such as acne and eczema. In these cases, kaolin clay has a soothing property. In some instances, essential minerals are added to the bath for better results.

Kaolin Clay Garden Use

• Kaolin clay can also be used in gardens. This use is informed by its rich nutrient composition which makes it ideal source of minerals for domesticated animals and crops.
• The clay has since been successfully used to improve the nutritive value of soils in gardens thus resulting in significant improvements in crop yields. However, this application is underdeveloped.

In summary, kaolin clay is a natural remedy to multiple health conditions. Its uses traverse across species as evident in its nutritive impacts on crops, humans, and pets.

Making kaolin clay products is relatively simple and can be accomplished in home environment. However, there are some marketed products based on kaolin clay that can be used as direct alternatives to the home-made kaolin.

READ MORE: How to make Kaolin Clay Face Mask

References on Kaolin Clay Uses in Cosmetics and for Skin

• https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Kaolin-Clay
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolinite