Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating General Clay mask is irritating skin

  • Clay mask is irritating skin

    Posted by natchemist on September 30, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Hi all, I’ve just recently made a clay mask similar to Clinique’s (see below) but with a few changes. I’m getting feedback from people who have been trying it saying they’re feeling a burning/stinging sensation while using it. 

    Clinique Oil-Controlling Clay Mask
    Active: Salicylic Acid (1%), Other: Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Gentian Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sucrose, Matricaria, Algae Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Powder, Acetyl Glucosamine, Inulin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Capryl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide

    For my mask, I’ve removed Glyceryl Stearate and PEG-100 stearate and to give viscosity, I’ve added bentonite…my mask also contains charcoal powder. My first thought was that there’s too much going on in my mask in regards to oil absorption on the skin (kaolin, bentonite, charcoal), but people are still complaining. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
    David replied 10 years ago 7 Members · 11 Replies
  • 11 Replies
  • vitalys

    Member
    October 1, 2014 at 12:46 am

    I guess, apparently it is Salycilic Acid a culprit. 1% would be too high for mask form. Try to cut the % to 0,3 -0,5% I believe it helps.

  • belassi

    Member
    October 1, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    What’s wrong with just using clay? We source a clay mix of bentonite, kaolin, and calcium minerals, ground to a high degree of fineness. It is absolutely lovely. Some ‘heating’ often occurs with clay masks and the reason is usually the bentonite (green) clay but it causes no harm, actually improves circulation.

  • Anonymous

    Guest
    October 10, 2014 at 12:15 am

    Where would on eget this type of clay combo? I only see individual clays sold at online suppliers.

  • shapeshifterstudio

    Member
    October 10, 2014 at 12:26 am

    I have normal skin not prone to sensitivities and .5% salycilic acid makes my skin burn, so I agree the high concentration isn’t needed.

  • dmh0023

    Member
    October 10, 2014 at 6:00 am

    This happened with my french green clay mask as well. I added some oils to the mask as I felt it was too drying, and it nipped the problem in the bud. Maybe give it a shot. Good luck!

  • belassi

    Member
    October 10, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    @Antoinette: Where would on get this type of clay combo? I only see individual clays sold at online suppliers.

    I’m lucky in that I found a guy who owns a mine in Chiapas. They mine these minerals and then have them milled to a very fine consistency.
    Previously I bought a couple of Kilos of green bentonite from another supplier. I found that it was too coarsely grained and wouldn’t “spread” on the face but tended to fall off in lumps. Also, it caused a pronounced ‘heating’ effect. The combination of clays doesn’t have these problems.
  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    October 10, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    @Belassi, that could be a very valuable product to sell into the US Cosmetic market. Has your supplier considered this?

  • belassi

    Member
    October 13, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    That hadn’t occurred to me. I have to see him soon as we are running out. He gave me around 2Kg as a sample. I will ask. He did mention that some people eat it as a mineral supplement. Apparently it is graded as suitable for that, too.

  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    October 13, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    That makes it even better for cosmetics…

    Let me know if he wants some contacts in the US for sales reps. Just remind him that cosmetic raw materials will never be a high-volume business - the best way to work seems to be low-volume, but higher margin.
  • belassi

    Member
    October 13, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Fine. I will ask him when I see him. He spends a lot of his time in Chiapas where they mine the different clays. Apparently the quality is second only to the French green clay. There are a lot of volcanics here; zeolites are another substance that’s mined, but I don’t have a use for that. This clay is lovely though. I tried it myself of course; it left my skin super-hydrated and soft.

  • David

    Member
    October 27, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    First question here: is the benchmark experience the same? Since the INCI are from the benchmark… 

Log in to reply.

Chemists Corner