INCI name

KAOLIN

Kaolin (white clay)

Abrasive Absorbent Anticaking Bulking Colorant Opacifyingreviewed

A white clay that absorbs oil.

What it is

Kaolin is a natural clay mineral composed mainly of kaolinite (aluminium silicate). It absorbs sebum and water and gives products a matte finish.

Where it is used

Found in face masks, powders, deodorants and cleansers.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

Functions

Abrasive: Removing unwanted tissue or foreign materials from various body surfaces, including mechanical tooth cleaning and/or gloss improvement.
Absorbent: Taking up water- and/or oil-soluble (dissolved or finely dispersed) substances.
Anticaking: Preventing agglomeration of particulate solids into lumps or hard masses (cohesive cake), thus allowing free flow of particles.
Bulking: Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.
Colorant: Exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of visible light; (precursors of oxidative hair colorants shall be deemed colorants). All authorised colorants are substances in the positive list of Annex IV to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
Opacifying: Reducing transparency or translucency of cosmetics.

EU regulation

EU · Annex IV, entry 119Natural hydrated aluminium silicate, Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O, containing calcium, magnesium or iron carbonates, ferric hydroxide, quartz-sand, mica, etc. as impurities

As of: 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223

Products with this ingredient (499)

Check a full ingredient list