Which clay is right for your skin? Bentonite, kaolin, calamine & French green

Clay-based soap is one of the oldest, most effective forms of natural cleansing there is. But "clay soap" isn't one product — different clays do genuinely different things. Here's the honest breakdown.

Bentonite clay — the deep pull

Bentonite is volcanic ash clay, and the most absorbent clay we work with. It binds surface oil and grime during the wash and rinses away with the lather.

Best for: oily skin, breakout-prone areas, deep-pore cleansing. Not for daily use on very dry skin.

Kaolin clay — the gentlest

Kaolin is the mildest clay in skincare. It gently absorbs surface oil without pulling deeper, and it's neutral enough for sensitive, reactive, or mature skin.

Best for: dry, sensitive, mature skin. Safe for daily use.

French green clay — the matte finish

French green clay is high in iron oxide, which gives it its colour. It's absorbent like bentonite but a little milder, and it leaves a matte, fresh finish rather than a squeaky one.

Best for: combination and oily skin that also feels dull or tired.

Calamine — the calmer

Calamine is a soft pink mineral blend of zinc oxide and iron oxide. Zinc has been used in calamine preparations for over a century, and the clay itself gives a very mild cleanse.

Best for: sensitive, itchy, or seasonally-reactive skin.

Pink clay — the middle ground

Pink clay is a naturally-occurring blend of red and white kaolin. It's cleansing but noticeably gentler than bentonite — a good starting point if you're new to clay soap.

Best for: normal-to-combination skin, anyone easing in.

Quick picker

• Oily / breakout-prone → bentonite or charcoal + bentonite combo
• Combination + dull → French green
• Sensitive + reactive → calamine or kaolin
• Dry + mature → kaolin
• Normal, easing in → pink clay