Have you every wondered what’s this beautiful pink clay everyone’s using? Well, rose clay is a type of kaolin clay. It’s very soft and fine, rich in silica and minerals, and has a neutral pH balance. Kaolin clays are considered the most moderate and balanced, which makes them perfect for almost any skin type. Rose clay benefits the skin in many ways.
Let’s go over them.
What Is Rose Clay
So as we’ve mentioned, rose clay is a type of kaolin clay. It’s super-refined, very soft, rich in silica and other minerals, and has a neutral pH balance. It has nothing to do with roses, though.
Rose clay is named after its color, which ranges from pale pink to deep purple. It’s also commonly named pink clay, but I guess rose clay is more poetic.
What is rose clay made of then? You might ask. Well, it’s made of rocks originally mined in Brazil. But, you can get rose clay from a multitude of other countries, which brings us to the next section.
Types Of Rose Clay
There are three common types of rose clay, and they’re mostly the same in terms of texture, mineral composition, and benefits. But they do have some slight differences.
French Rose Clay. As the name suggests, this rose clay is harvested in France. It’s a combination of white and red kaolin clays, and it’s rich in kaolinite, iron, illite, montmorillonite, and calcite. Because it’s a combination, French rose clay benefits both dry skin and oily skin.
Australian Pink Clay. Again, as the name suggests, this type is harvested in Australia, and it’s considered a pure rose clay (not mixed with anything). It’s rich in magnesium, selenium, zinc, silica, and calcium.
Rose Kaolin Clay. This type is a mix of two kaolin clays, white and pink kaolin. Like French rose clay, it takes the best of both worlds—white kaolin’s benefits for sensitive skin and pink kaolin’s benefits for oily skin.
Rose Clay Benefits
Heals Dry & Sensitive Skin
Because of its fine texture, neutral pH balance, minerals, and silica rose clay is able to penetrate and heal damaged skin without being obtrusive and causing more harm than good.
Reduces Acne & Blemishes
The many different minerals in rose clay help to heal and prevent acne and blemishes. The silica is also known to enhance collagen production, which results in stronger and healthier skin.
Locks Moisture In
As with most clays, rose clay will help lock in your natural moisture, thus preventing cracking, scaliness, and irritation. However, rose clay will do it in a non-obtrusive manner, as opposed to many other clays.
Better Skin Elasticity
As we’ve mentioned, silica enhances collagen production, which leads to healthier, more elastic skin. Paired with the locked-in moisture and minerals, you can expect your skin to be less saggy and more elastic.
Replenishes Natural Minerals
Rose clay contains many different minerals. Magnesium, selenium, zinc, and iron, to name a few. These will soak in, nourishing and replenishing your skin.
Reduces Inflammation
Many of the minerals in rose clay have anti-inflammatory effects, which, paired with the clay’s gentle nature, make for a perfect treatment for skin inflammations such as eczema, psoriasis, cellulitis, and more.
Light Exfoliation
Rose clay does have some light exfoliation effects; it will help clean your skin of toxins and dead skin.
Minimizes Blackheads
While this is not unique to rose clay, it does help draw oils and toxins out of the skin as many other clays do. The unique benefit is that it does so gently, making it perfect for sensitive skins suffering from blackheads.
Promotes Cell Renewal
Thanks to its minerals and silica, rose clay benefits and promotes cell renewal. It has actually been used traditionally for healing wounds precisely because of this benefit.
Types Of Kaolin Clay
So as we’ve mentioned, some rose clays are combinations of white kaolin clay and pink kaolin clay. What does that mean?
Well, there are five types of kaolin clay; white, pink, green, grey, and yellow. Well, there’s also the “basic” earth clay, but we won’t get into that.
Each has its own benefits, although they mostly parallel each other. Rose clay will always be made of either pink or a combination of pink and white.
Let’s see the benefits of each clay.
White Kaolin Clay. This is the universal clay that is used in many different cosmetic products. It’s good for most skin types, and it’s known to exfoliate, unclog pores, and draw out oil and toxins.
Pink Kaolin Clay. This is our beloved rose clay in its pure form. It’s perfect for sensitive skins and has anti-inflammatory, exfoliating, soothing, and balancing properties. It’s also full of skin-loving minerals.
Green Kaolin Clay. This clay is considered the gentle cleaner. It’s known for cleaning impurities and absorbing excess oils without absorbing the skin’s natural moisture. It’s perfect for purifying sensitive skins.
Yellow Kaolin Clay. While this clay is also soft and refined, it’s slightly stronger than the others. Still, it’s safe on most skin types and provides minerals as well as cleansing and exfoliating properties.
Grey Kaolin Clay. This is the so-called crude clay. It’s less suitable for direct use and usually used as a basis for cosmetic products. Although, similar to the other kaolin clays, it’s gentle and rich in minerals, albeit less than the other types.
Rose Clay Uses
Because rose clay is so rich in minerals and silica, as well as gentle and non-obtrusive, it’s perfect for a multitude of uses. Some of the most popular ones:
- Facial Masks
- Hair Masks
- Body Powder
- Face & Body Soaps
- Scrubs
- Dry Shampoos
- Baths (Mineral Soaks)
Conclusion
So as you can see, rose clay benefits the skin in many different ways. It exfoliates, purifies, nourishes, and more. It’s especially useful if you have sensitive or damaged skin, and it’s suitable and beneficial for things other than skin.
So, are you going to try it? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for other unique ways to keep your skin healthy, check out our article about bamboo benefits.