New Zealand Glacial Clay
New Zealand Glacial Clay
New Zealand Glacial Clay (Nontronite Green Clay)
Our New Zealand Glacial Clay is a rare nontronite (smectite group) clay from a South Island deposit that formed over three million years ago. It was created when volcanic ash from Banks Peninsula settled into a freshwater glacial lake at the foothills of the Southern Alps.
It is a natural green clay with a stated purity of about 91%, milled to a fine 45 micron powder and free from chemical processing. It has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) of about 82 meq/100 g, which is a measure of how readily a clay can hold and exchange charged particles.
Makers use it in face masks, bath blends, soaps and other skincare formulas for its smooth feel and natural green colour.
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Nontronite clay From the South Island, NZ |
About 91% purity 45 micron fine powder |
CEC about 82 meq/100 g (typical) |
100 g to 2 kg Five 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 | New Zealand Glacial Clay |
| INCI (typical) | Bentonite |
| Type | Nontronite (smectite group) clay powder |
| Appearance | Fine powder. Green |
| Origin | South Island, New Zealand |
| Age of deposit | About three million years |
| Purity | About 91% (typical) |
| Particle size | Milled to 45 microns |
| Cation exchange capacity | About 82 meq/100 g (typical) |
| pH in water | Close to neutral (about 7-7.5, typical) |
| Processing | Dried and milled. No chemical processing |
| Suitable for | Face masks, bath blends, body wraps, soap, scrubs, skincare formulations |
| Usage in formulas | About 5-20% in DIY formulations. Test your own recipe |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not use on broken skin |
| Pack Sizes | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and 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 | Mix 1-2 teaspoons with water or a carrier oil into a paste, apply and rinse after 10-15 minutes |
| Bath blends | Add 1-2 cups to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes. Use a mesh bag or rinse the tub well |
| Skincare formulations | Blend into your own recipes at about 5-20% and test a small batch |
| Soap | Adds a soft green tone and a silky feel. Mix to a paste first |
| Body wraps | Mix to a paste for a body treatment |
| Scrubs | Mix into salt or sugar scrubs |
How to Make a Simple Glacial Clay Face Mask
- Start clean. Wash and dry your face and tie your hair back.
- Mix the clay. In a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl, stir 1-2 teaspoons of glacial clay with enough water or a carrier oil to make a smooth paste. Use a wooden or plastic spoon, not metal.
- Patch test. Try a small amount on the inside of your arm first, especially if your skin is sensitive.
- Apply. Spread a thin, even layer over the face, avoiding the eyes and lips.
- Leave it on. Leave for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse off while still slightly damp.
- Moisturise. Pat dry and follow with your usual moisturiser.
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. NZ glacial clay gives a soft green tone. |
| 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 is nontronite?
Nontronite is an iron-rich clay in the smectite group. It is rare, which is why this deposit is of interest to skincare makers.
What does CEC mean?
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a laboratory measure of how readily a clay can hold and exchange charged particles. Our typical value is about 82 meq/100 g.
Where does it come from?
From a remote South Island deposit in New Zealand.
How much do I use in my own recipes?
Around 5-20% is a common range. Always test a small batch.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Always patch test first, as individual skin responses vary.
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 | $7.50 | $7.50 |
| 250 g | $14.00 | $5.60 |
| 500 g | $27.00 | $5.40 |
| 1 kg | $52.00 | $5.20 |
| 2 kg | $99.00 | $4.95 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with kaolin clay, bentonite clay or French green clay, and add lavender essential oil or geranium essential oil. Mix a mask with a hydrosol such as lavender hydrosol or jojoba oil with sweet almond oil. For soap, use with a white SLS-free melt and pour base or clear SLS-free melt and pour base. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
 Product Documents
|
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New Zealand Glacial Clay (Nontronite Green Clay)
Our New Zealand Glacial Clay is a rare nontronite (smectite group) clay from a South Island deposit that formed over three million years ago. It was created when volcanic ash from Banks Peninsula settled into a freshwater glacial lake at the foothills of the Southern Alps.
It is a natural green clay with a stated purity of about 91%, milled to a fine 45 micron powder and free from chemical processing. It has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) of about 82 meq/100 g, which is a measure of how readily a clay can hold and exchange charged particles.
Makers use it in face masks, bath blends, soaps and other skincare formulas for its smooth feel and natural green colour.
|
Nontronite clay From the South Island, NZ |
About 91% purity 45 micron fine powder |
CEC about 82 meq/100 g (typical) |
100 g to 2 kg Five 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 | New Zealand Glacial Clay |
| INCI (typical) | Bentonite |
| Type | Nontronite (smectite group) clay powder |
| Appearance | Fine powder. Green |
| Origin | South Island, New Zealand |
| Age of deposit | About three million years |
| Purity | About 91% (typical) |
| Particle size | Milled to 45 microns |
| Cation exchange capacity | About 82 meq/100 g (typical) |
| pH in water | Close to neutral (about 7-7.5, typical) |
| Processing | Dried and milled. No chemical processing |
| Suitable for | Face masks, bath blends, body wraps, soap, scrubs, skincare formulations |
| Usage in formulas | About 5-20% in DIY formulations. Test your own recipe |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not use on broken skin |
| Pack Sizes | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and 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 | Mix 1-2 teaspoons with water or a carrier oil into a paste, apply and rinse after 10-15 minutes |
| Bath blends | Add 1-2 cups to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes. Use a mesh bag or rinse the tub well |
| Skincare formulations | Blend into your own recipes at about 5-20% and test a small batch |
| Soap | Adds a soft green tone and a silky feel. Mix to a paste first |
| Body wraps | Mix to a paste for a body treatment |
| Scrubs | Mix into salt or sugar scrubs |
How to Make a Simple Glacial Clay Face Mask
- Start clean. Wash and dry your face and tie your hair back.
- Mix the clay. In a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl, stir 1-2 teaspoons of glacial clay with enough water or a carrier oil to make a smooth paste. Use a wooden or plastic spoon, not metal.
- Patch test. Try a small amount on the inside of your arm first, especially if your skin is sensitive.
- Apply. Spread a thin, even layer over the face, avoiding the eyes and lips.
- Leave it on. Leave for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse off while still slightly damp.
- Moisturise. Pat dry and follow with your usual moisturiser.
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. NZ glacial clay gives a soft green tone. |
| 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 is nontronite?
Nontronite is an iron-rich clay in the smectite group. It is rare, which is why this deposit is of interest to skincare makers.
What does CEC mean?
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a laboratory measure of how readily a clay can hold and exchange charged particles. Our typical value is about 82 meq/100 g.
Where does it come from?
From a remote South Island deposit in New Zealand.
How much do I use in my own recipes?
Around 5-20% is a common range. Always test a small batch.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Always patch test first, as individual skin responses vary.
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 | $7.50 | $7.50 |
| 250 g | $14.00 | $5.60 |
| 500 g | $27.00 | $5.40 |
| 1 kg | $52.00 | $5.20 |
| 2 kg | $99.00 | $4.95 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with kaolin clay, bentonite clay or French green clay, and add lavender essential oil or geranium essential oil. Mix a mask with a hydrosol such as lavender hydrosol or jojoba oil with sweet almond oil. For soap, use with a white SLS-free melt and pour base or clear SLS-free melt and pour base. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
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Product Documents
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