MONTMORILLONITE (Montmorillonite clay) – function in cosmetics

A natural aluminium-magnesium silicate clay.

What it is

Montmorillonite is a complex aluminium/magnesium silicate clay mineral and the main component of bentonite. CosIng lists it as abrasive, absorbent, bulking, emulsion stabilising, light stabiliser and viscosity controlling.

Where it is used

Found in clay masks, cleansing products, powders and as a thickener in emulsions.

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.

The composition of a clay depends on its deposit, and the INCI name does not reveal where it comes from.

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.

Bulking

Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.

Emulsion stabilising

Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.

Light stabilizer

Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.

Viscosity controlling

Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.

MONTMORILLONITE

What it is

Where it is used

Limits of interpretation

Functions

EU regulation

Products with this ingredient (46)