Clay in Soap

Most clays are found where they settle after eons of freezing and thawing and water movements. Some clays mix with other clays and this mixing and moving creates fine grained earthy materials that we can use in our soaps, cosmetics, and other purposes.

The chemistry of clay is that it is a silicate, which is created with a blend of silicon, oxygen, and one or more minerals, and water. These clays are often found in layers in the ground above or below underground rivers or watery levels. The one common feature of clays is that most tend to be drying to the skin. Which is connected to one of clays best features, its ability to absorb impurities.

Click on the following images to check out the various types of clays:

Found a newly discovered clay, called Glacial Bay Clay, click here for more info!

When you go to add your clay in soap, if you were to dump the clay right into the pot, you will be chasing lumps of clay around. It is best to obtain a 1/2 - 1 cup of soap base at the start of trace, add your clay to this amount, and mix well. A small wisk works very well for this. When well blended, add this back to your soap base and mix throughout. These natural clays can also be used as a colorant. When using clays for coloring, make sure to add superfatting at trace to counteract the clays drying effects.

All clays are very fine, so be careful to not create a clay 'cloud' and inhale lots of the particles.

From "adding clay in soap" to superfatting with cocoa butter . . .