French Red Clay
French Red Clay
French Red Clay (Illite, Cosmetic Clay Powder)
Our French Red Clay is an illite-based clay whose red colour comes from natural iron oxide (hematite). It is an all-purpose cosmetic clay: very absorbent, with a fine, smooth texture.
It is popular for masks and cleansers for normal to oily skin, for foot and bath treatments, and for natural terracotta and brick colours in soap, bath bombs and scrubs.
|
Iron-rich red clay Illite base |
Absorbent A classic all-purpose mask clay |
Terracotta colour For soap and bath bombs |
100 g to 1 kg Four pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children, keep away from the eyes, patch test before first use and avoid breathing in the dust. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | French Red Clay |
| INCI (typical) | Illite |
| Type | Mineral clay powder |
| Appearance | Fine powder. Orange-red to brick red, colour varies by batch |
| Origin | France |
| Colour source | Natural iron oxide (hematite) |
| Mineral base | Illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite and calcite (typical) |
| Suitable for | Face and body masks, soap, bath blends, bath bombs, scrubs, foot treatments |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not use on broken skin |
| Pack Sizes | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from sunlight. Avoid metal containers |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Face masks | A classic all-purpose clay mask, popular for normal to oily skin |
| Cold process and melt and pour soap | Gives an orange-red to terracotta tone. Add at light trace for cold process |
| Bath blends and foot treatments | Mix to a paste for a mineral soak or foot wrap |
| Bath bombs | Adds natural terracotta colour (can stain tubs lightly) |
| Sugar and salt scrubs | Mix into scrub bases for colour and a smooth feel |
| Mineral tints | Use in natural makeup-style powder blends |
How to Make a Simple Red Clay Face Mask
- Start clean. Wash and dry your face and tie your hair back. Protect your clothing, as clay can stain.
- Mix the clay. In a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of French red clay with 1-2 tablespoons of water or a hydrosol until you have a smooth paste. A few drops of a carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil will make it creamier. Use a wooden or plastic spoon rather than metal.
- Patch test. Try a little on the inside of your arm first and wait to see how your skin reacts.
- Apply. Spread a thin, even layer over clean skin, avoiding the eyes, lips and any broken or irritated skin.
- Leave it on. Leave for about 5-10 minutes. Rinse off while the mask is still slightly damp rather than letting it dry hard and crack.
- Rinse and moisturise. Rinse with warm water or a warm damp cloth, pat dry and follow with your usual moisturiser. Start with once a week and see how your skin feels.
Using It in Soap, Bath & Scrubs ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Face mask | 1 tbsp clay + 1-2 tbsp water or hydrosol | Add a few drops of carrier oil for a creamier mask. Rinse before it dries completely. |
| Body wrap or paste | 2-3 tbsp clay + water to a spreadable paste | Apply to the body and rinse off after about 10 minutes. |
| Bath | 1/4-1/2 cup per bath | Sprinkle in while the bath runs, or pre-mix into a paste. Use a mesh bag or rinse the tub well afterwards. |
| Cold process soap | About 1 tsp-1 tbsp per 500 g of soap oils | Stir into a little oil first, then add at light trace. French red clay tends to give an orange-red or terracotta tone, and the shade deepens or browns with your recipe. |
| Melt and pour soap | About 1 tsp-1 tbsp per 500 g of base | Mix to a paste with a little vegetable glycerine first, then stir into the melted base. Too much can make a soap feel dry or dull. |
| Bath bombs | About 1 tbsp per 500 g of dry mix | Mix through the dry ingredients until the colour is even. Can stain tubs lightly. |
| Scrubs | 1-2 tbsp per cup of sugar or salt scrub base | Mix into the base with your chosen oil. |
See the cosmetic making supplies collection for oils, butters and bases to formulate with.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Clumps when mixing | Liquid poured onto dry clay | Sprinkle the clay onto the liquid instead and let it sit for a minute before stirring. |
| Mask dries hard and feels tight | Left on too long, or too little liquid | Rinse while still slightly damp, use a little more water or a few drops of carrier oil, and moisturise afterwards. |
| Skin looks red or feels sore | Sensitivity to clay or an added ingredient | Rinse with cool water. Patch test before use, keep the first sessions short, and stop if irritation continues. |
| Colour changes in soap | Clays can shift in colour in lye or with heat | Test a small batch. Mixing the clay with a little oil or glycerine first helps it blend evenly. |
| Specks or streaks in soap | Clay not fully mixed in | Mix to a smooth paste before adding, then stick-blend or stir well. |
| Mix spoils or smells off | Water-based mixes can grow mould | Mix fresh and use straight away, and discard leftovers. Add a suitable preservative to anything you plan to keep. |
| Blocked drain | Clay settling in pipes | Wipe off with a cloth where you can, use a strainer, and run plenty of water after a bath. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, keep it away from the eyes and do not use it on broken or irritated skin. Fine powders can irritate the airways, so wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating dust clouds. Do a patch test before first use and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Mix clays in glass, ceramic, plastic or wooden bowls and tools, and avoid metal. Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Do not rinse large amounts of mask, bath or scrub down the sink, as clay can settle and block drains. Wipe it off with a cloth and put it in the bin, or use a strainer.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What colour does it make in soap?
An orange-red to terracotta tone, depending on your recipe and how much you add. Test a small batch.
Will it stain?
It can stain fabric, grout and tubs lightly, so rinse well and protect your clothes and work area.
What gives it its red colour?
Natural iron oxide (hematite) in the clay.
Can I mix it with other clays?
Yes. Blend with French pink clay for a soft rose, or with Dead Sea mud for an earthy brown.
Can I eat it or use it internally?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 100 g | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| 250 g | $26.00 | $10.40 |
| 500 g | $45.00 | $9.00 |
| 1 kg | $90.00 | $9.00 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with French pink clay, Brazilian yellow clay or ghassoul clay, and add geranium essential oil or frankincense essential oil. For soap, use with a white SLS-free melt and pour base or clear SLS-free melt and pour base and add mica. Mix a mask with a hydrosol such as lavender hydrosol. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
 Product Documents
|
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French Red Clay (Illite, Cosmetic Clay Powder)
Our French Red Clay is an illite-based clay whose red colour comes from natural iron oxide (hematite). It is an all-purpose cosmetic clay: very absorbent, with a fine, smooth texture.
It is popular for masks and cleansers for normal to oily skin, for foot and bath treatments, and for natural terracotta and brick colours in soap, bath bombs and scrubs.
|
Iron-rich red clay Illite base |
Absorbent A classic all-purpose mask clay |
Terracotta colour For soap and bath bombs |
100 g to 1 kg Four pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children, keep away from the eyes, patch test before first use and avoid breathing in the dust. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | French Red Clay |
| INCI (typical) | Illite |
| Type | Mineral clay powder |
| Appearance | Fine powder. Orange-red to brick red, colour varies by batch |
| Origin | France |
| Colour source | Natural iron oxide (hematite) |
| Mineral base | Illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite and calcite (typical) |
| Suitable for | Face and body masks, soap, bath blends, bath bombs, scrubs, foot treatments |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not use on broken skin |
| Pack Sizes | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from sunlight. Avoid metal containers |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Face masks | A classic all-purpose clay mask, popular for normal to oily skin |
| Cold process and melt and pour soap | Gives an orange-red to terracotta tone. Add at light trace for cold process |
| Bath blends and foot treatments | Mix to a paste for a mineral soak or foot wrap |
| Bath bombs | Adds natural terracotta colour (can stain tubs lightly) |
| Sugar and salt scrubs | Mix into scrub bases for colour and a smooth feel |
| Mineral tints | Use in natural makeup-style powder blends |
How to Make a Simple Red Clay Face Mask
- Start clean. Wash and dry your face and tie your hair back. Protect your clothing, as clay can stain.
- Mix the clay. In a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of French red clay with 1-2 tablespoons of water or a hydrosol until you have a smooth paste. A few drops of a carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil will make it creamier. Use a wooden or plastic spoon rather than metal.
- Patch test. Try a little on the inside of your arm first and wait to see how your skin reacts.
- Apply. Spread a thin, even layer over clean skin, avoiding the eyes, lips and any broken or irritated skin.
- Leave it on. Leave for about 5-10 minutes. Rinse off while the mask is still slightly damp rather than letting it dry hard and crack.
- Rinse and moisturise. Rinse with warm water or a warm damp cloth, pat dry and follow with your usual moisturiser. Start with once a week and see how your skin feels.
Using It in Soap, Bath & Scrubs ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Face mask | 1 tbsp clay + 1-2 tbsp water or hydrosol | Add a few drops of carrier oil for a creamier mask. Rinse before it dries completely. |
| Body wrap or paste | 2-3 tbsp clay + water to a spreadable paste | Apply to the body and rinse off after about 10 minutes. |
| Bath | 1/4-1/2 cup per bath | Sprinkle in while the bath runs, or pre-mix into a paste. Use a mesh bag or rinse the tub well afterwards. |
| Cold process soap | About 1 tsp-1 tbsp per 500 g of soap oils | Stir into a little oil first, then add at light trace. French red clay tends to give an orange-red or terracotta tone, and the shade deepens or browns with your recipe. |
| Melt and pour soap | About 1 tsp-1 tbsp per 500 g of base | Mix to a paste with a little vegetable glycerine first, then stir into the melted base. Too much can make a soap feel dry or dull. |
| Bath bombs | About 1 tbsp per 500 g of dry mix | Mix through the dry ingredients until the colour is even. Can stain tubs lightly. |
| Scrubs | 1-2 tbsp per cup of sugar or salt scrub base | Mix into the base with your chosen oil. |
See the cosmetic making supplies collection for oils, butters and bases to formulate with.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Clumps when mixing | Liquid poured onto dry clay | Sprinkle the clay onto the liquid instead and let it sit for a minute before stirring. |
| Mask dries hard and feels tight | Left on too long, or too little liquid | Rinse while still slightly damp, use a little more water or a few drops of carrier oil, and moisturise afterwards. |
| Skin looks red or feels sore | Sensitivity to clay or an added ingredient | Rinse with cool water. Patch test before use, keep the first sessions short, and stop if irritation continues. |
| Colour changes in soap | Clays can shift in colour in lye or with heat | Test a small batch. Mixing the clay with a little oil or glycerine first helps it blend evenly. |
| Specks or streaks in soap | Clay not fully mixed in | Mix to a smooth paste before adding, then stick-blend or stir well. |
| Mix spoils or smells off | Water-based mixes can grow mould | Mix fresh and use straight away, and discard leftovers. Add a suitable preservative to anything you plan to keep. |
| Blocked drain | Clay settling in pipes | Wipe off with a cloth where you can, use a strainer, and run plenty of water after a bath. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, keep it away from the eyes and do not use it on broken or irritated skin. Fine powders can irritate the airways, so wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating dust clouds. Do a patch test before first use and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Mix clays in glass, ceramic, plastic or wooden bowls and tools, and avoid metal. Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Do not rinse large amounts of mask, bath or scrub down the sink, as clay can settle and block drains. Wipe it off with a cloth and put it in the bin, or use a strainer.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What colour does it make in soap?
An orange-red to terracotta tone, depending on your recipe and how much you add. Test a small batch.
Will it stain?
It can stain fabric, grout and tubs lightly, so rinse well and protect your clothes and work area.
What gives it its red colour?
Natural iron oxide (hematite) in the clay.
Can I mix it with other clays?
Yes. Blend with French pink clay for a soft rose, or with Dead Sea mud for an earthy brown.
Can I eat it or use it internally?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 100 g | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| 250 g | $26.00 | $10.40 |
| 500 g | $45.00 | $9.00 |
| 1 kg | $90.00 | $9.00 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with French pink clay, Brazilian yellow clay or ghassoul clay, and add geranium essential oil or frankincense essential oil. For soap, use with a white SLS-free melt and pour base or clear SLS-free melt and pour base and add mica. Mix a mask with a hydrosol such as lavender hydrosol. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
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Product Documents
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