INCI Name
Bentonite
Botanical Name
N/A
A naturally occurring mineral clay rich in montmorillonite, Bentonite is a high-performance absorbent used to mattify, clarify, and thicken formulations. It’s favored in masks, cleansers, and scrubs for oily or blemish-prone skin due to its strong oil-binding capacity and creamy slip when properly hydrated. Source cosmetic-grade, purified material with documented heavy-metal testing, and avoid inhalation of powders during manufacturing for best-practice safety.
Absorbent, bulking agent, opacifier, suspending agent, viscosity modifier/thickener
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
Leave-on products up to ~8–15% (per CIR use data); rinse-off clay masks ~50–75% (typical formulating range)
Mattifies and reduces shine; clarifying masks; helps remove excess sebum; supports appearance of clearer-looking skin
Primary Components:
Montmorillonite (smectite), silica (SiO₂), alumina (Al₂O₃)
May over-dry or irritate sensitive/dry skin; avoid inhalation of loose powders; use cosmetic-grade material tested for heavy metals; do not use in airbrush applications
Preferred Extraction Method:
Mined, purified, milled
Choose cosmetic-grade/purified material; supplier heavy-metal testing; appropriate particle size; asbestos-free declarations where applicable
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
Bentonite Clay
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