Ingredient decoder

Kaolin: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Kaolin

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic0 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Gentle white clay that absorbs excess oil.

  • Abrasive
  • Absorbent
  • Anticaking
  • Bulking
  • Cosmetic colorant
  • Opacifying

Kaolin in plain English

Kaolin is a soft white clay that absorbs oil and gives a matte finish. It is common in masks, cleansers and powders and is one of the gentlest clays. It can temporarily reduce shine on oily, acne-prone skin, though it does not treat acne itself.

Is kaolin bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Kaolin is not a known pore-clogger: it scored 0 out of 5 in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test of the raw ingredient. Our checker rates it as fine for acne-prone skin, so judge by how your own skin reacts.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Kaolin
  • Kaolin clay
  • China clay
  • White clay
  • Ci 77004

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Frequently asked questions

Is kaolin comedogenic?

Kaolin scored 0 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low rating, and we do not list it as a pore-clogger. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does kaolin do in skincare?

In short: gentle white clay that absorbs excess oil. Its listed jobs in formulas: abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, cosmetic colorant and opacifying.

What else is kaolin called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, kaolin can also appear as Kaolin clay, China clay, White clay or Ci 77004.

Sources