The Magic of Clay

From volcanic ash to soft pink powders — why clay belongs in your soap

🌿 Why We Use Clay in Our Soaps

Our soaps are coloured naturally using mineral-rich clays, with only a few exceptions where a gentle soap-safe blue dye is used. Clays are 100% natural, vegan, and biodegradable. Unlike synthetic additives, cosmetic clays deliver a host of real skin benefits thanks to their rich mineral content and adsorptive power. Historically, cultures have used “medicinal earth” (clay) for skin cleansing and healing.

Today we leverage that same earth-magic in our soaps. Clay minerals like kaolin, bentonite, and colored clays are finely powdered earth—packed with magnesium, calcium, silica, iron, and more—that adsorb oil and impurities, exfoliate gently, and soothe skin. For example, kaolin clay has been clinically shown to improve mild acne by up to ~34% over four weeks of regular use (without causing dryness). Similarly, bentonite and green clays absorb excess sebum and toxins, helping to clear pores. These cleansing properties make clays ideal in topical treatments – studies note that clays help treat oily or acne-prone skin by “adsorbing/absorbing greases, toxins, and excess oil”.

No synthetic additives, no plastic microbeads — just pure earth magic. Clays are more than just pretty colours — they’re naturally rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, silica, and iron. These help to:

Draw out toxins and impurities

Absorb excess oil and sebum

Soothe inflammation and irritation

Gently exfoliate dead skin cells

Deliver trace nutrients directly to the skin

We also never use lye in our process (our soap base is pre-saponified). That means our soaps retain all their natural glycerin, a humectant dermatologists praise for hydrating and strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier. In short, our clay-infused soaps cleanse deeply without stripping. They draw out pollutants while still being gentle, cleansing, controlling oil, and even protecting from irritants in skin formulas.

🧼 The Clays We Use

We use a rainbow of cosmetic clays, each chosen for its unique mineral profile and skin benefits:

White Kaolin Clay (Gentle): A very fine, soft white clay rich in silica. It is extremely mild and soothing, making it great for sensitive or dry skin. It gently exfoliates while delivering moisture. In our soaps, like Loofah Soap (White), kaolin exfoliates delicately and is paired with calming botanicals (e.g., Lily-of-the-Valley oil).
French Pink Clay (Calming): A blend of red and white clays, pink clay is soothing and reduces redness. It’s excellent for normal, dry, or sensitive skin. In many of our soaps (e.g. Bunch of Lavender Soap (Pink & Green)), pink clay provides a gentle polish while the Lavender Essential Oil soothes the mind.
Green Clays (Oil-Balancing): French green and Australian sea clays are detoxifying and rich in iron. They excel at absorbing excess oil and impurities. For example, Herbal Bliss Soap (Green) uses French green clay to control shine, and Birch Essential Oil for an invigorating cleanse.
Red Clays (Revitalizing): Moroccan red and Australian red clays have high iron content that can improve circulation and glow. Our Green Man Soap (Moroccan Red) is colored with Moroccan red clay and scented with warm Rosewood Essential Oil, providing both exfoliation and a rich earthy tone to the skin.
Purple & Hazel Clays (Antioxidant & Brightening): Purple clay (from Brazil) is touted as antioxidant-rich and great for rejuvenation, while hazel clay can brighten uneven skin. Fairy Soap (Purple) with calming Lavender Essential Oil and Trohanny Gottage Soap (Hazel) with soothing Mandarin and Rose Geranium Essential Oils, contain Brazilian Purple and Hazel clays to target mature skin.
Bentonite & Volcanic Clays (Detox): Bentonite and volcanic clays (like Kamtchatkan black clay) are very absorbent. They draw out toxins and debris from clogged pores. We use these heavy-duty clays in bars intended for oily or blemish-prone skin. For instance, our Massage Soap (Grey) contains both activated charcoal and Kamtchatkan volcanic clay for deep pore cleansing.

In summary, each clay in our lineup is 100% natural and chosen for its skincare role. Modern cosmetics research agrees that clays can be active ingredients: they “cleanse, control oil, adsorb toxins, and even provide UV protection” depending on their composition. And they leave nothing behind — we use no plastic microbeads or harsh chemicals, just earth-derived minerals to treat and beautify skin.

Here’s a closer look at the clays featured in our soaps and what each one brings to the bar. Click any clay name below to explore the soaps it’s used in.

Clay	Skin Benefits
Activated Charcoal	Detoxifying, anti-acne, deep pore cleanser
Australian Reef Red Cosmetic Clay	Stimulates skin circulation, regenerating
Beige Cosmetic Clay	Mild exfoliation, all skin types
Bentonite Cosmetic Clay	Very absorbent, calms blemishes
Brazilian Purple Cosmetic Clay	Antioxidant-rich, youthful glow booster
Cedrus Cosmetic Clay	Soothes rough patches, lightly astringent
French Green Cosmetic Clay	Sebum control, ideal for oily/combination skin
French Pink Cosmetic Clay	Calming, reduces redness, and softens
Hazel Cosmetic Clay	Brightens skin, good for uneven tone
Kamtchatkan Black Volcanic Clay	Rich in minerals, it exfoliates and restores
Moroccan Red Cosmetic Clay	High iron content improves elasticity and glow
Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) Cosmetic Clay	Classic for oily skin, deep cleanse
White Kaolin Cosmetic Clay	Gentle, softening, perfect for sensitive/dry skin

🔬 Study Spotlight: A 2023 clinical trial involving 75 adults with oily or combination skin assessed a kaolin- and bentonite-rich clay mask applied twice weekly for four weeks. Results showed significant reductions in acne lesions, sebum levels, and improved skin hydration and texture, with no increased dryness or irritation. Combined with botanical oils, the result is a formula that clears and calms skin naturally.

🌈 What Clay Can Do for Your Skin

Whether you’re battling oily patches, dullness, or just love the feel of fresh, balanced skin — there’s a clay for that. Here’s how they help different skin types:

Oily Skin → French Green, Multani Mitti, Charcoal, Bentonite
Dry/Sensitive Skin → White Kaolin, Pink, Beige Clay
Combination Skin → Brazilian Purple, Moroccan Red, Hazel Clay
Acne-Prone Skin → Charcoal, Green, Bentonite, Volcanic Clay
Mature Skin → Purple, Red, Hazel, Rose Clay variants

📌 Soap Tip: You can alternate between different soaps depending on the season or your skin’s needs — like a mini spa menu in your bathroom!

Different clays suit different skin types and concerns. Heavy oils and acne often respond best to green, charcoal, or bentonite clays, which detoxify and pull out sebum. We might advise acne-prone clients to alternate between our detoxifying soaps with bentonite and charcoal and soothing white-clay soaps.

Conversely, dry or sensitive skin enjoys the gentler clays – soft white kaolin or pink clay. These exfoliate very mildly and tend to leave the skin supple. Mixed skin often benefits from moderate clays like Brazilian purple or Moroccan red (boosting circulation), or hazel clay (for brightening). For mature skin, antioxidants in purple and gentle resveratrol in red clays are great; they exfoliate fine flakes and promote renewal.

Regardless of type, clays are treasured because they leave the skin feeling fresh and balanced rather than stripped. They can also deliver trace minerals directly. Physiologically, clays’ large surface area and ion-exchange properties mean they latch onto dirt, allergens, and excess oils on the skin. This is why spa treatments (mud packs) have long been used to soothe inflammatory conditions.

For those reasons, we encourage alternating clay bars by season or condition, almost like a mini at-home spa. For example, in summer use a green or charcoal bar on oily zones, and in winter a pink or white bar on drier areas. Over time, this can help improve skin tone and clarity without chemical exfoliants. Glycerin and natural oils in well-made soap (like ours) hydrate the skin, countering dryness.

🔗 Pairing Earth & Aroma: Our Signature Clay-Infused Soaps

We love combining therapeutic clays with carefully chosen essential oils to create soaps that are as effective as they are indulgent.

Here are some of our popular pairings:

Charcoal + Tea Tree + Peppermint → Detoxifying & invigorating
- Activated charcoal and volcanic clay work together to absorb impurities, while tea tree oil adds antibacterial clarity, and peppermint adds a cooling zing. A great example is our Massage Soap (Grey), which contains black volcanic clay and charcoal for deep cleaning, plus tea tree oil for tension relief. For a full minty experience, our Breathe Shower Steamers infuse peppermint and eucalyptus, giving you a spa-like shower.
Kaolin + Lavender + Rose Geranium → Gentle and calming
- White kaolin clay offers very mild exfoliation, while lavender and rose geranium essential oils are famed for their soothing, stress-relieving effects. Our Big Heart Soap (White) is a perfect example – it includes white kaolin clay and is fragranced with calming Lavender and Orange oils along with other floral notes. Similarly, our Bunch of Lavender Soap (Pink & Green) layers French pink and green clays with pure lavender oil, giving a relaxing cleanse.
Red Clay + Jasmine + Mandarin → Brightening and sensual
- Iron-rich red clays revive dull complexions, and sweet citrus-floral oils like jasmine and mandarin add a lively, uplifting scent. For instance, our Loofah Soap (Moroccan Red) is colored with Moroccan red clay and scented with Mandarin Essential Oil – it exemplifies the glow-boosting effect of red clay plus essential oils. Our Rose of Tralee Soap (Pink) combines pink clay with sweet Jasmine oil.
Volcanic Clay + Cedarwood + Clove → Deep cleanse with warmth
- Robust clays like Kamtchatkan volcanic clay excel at purifying, while grounding oils like cedarwood and clove warm and comfort the senses. Our Meditation Soap (Green) uses volcanic clay for scrubbing and Lemongrass oil for cooling, giving a deep, invigorating wash. Donkey Soap (Moroccan Red) has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic Cedarwood oil in it, together with Moroccan red clay. Adding Mood Lift Shower Steamers, which contain Clove oil, will set you up for a great day.
Pink Clay + Rose Geranium + Patchouli → Softening & Balancing
French Pink Clay (Dragonfly Soap (Pink)) is ultra-gentle and ideal for dry or sensitive skin. When paired with floral and earthy essential oils like rose geranium (Flowerbed Soap (White)) and patchouli (Sheep Soap (Black)), it creates a daily use selection that’s soothing for the skin and comforting for the senses.

💬 Final Thoughts

Ultimately, every Leitrim Soap product is a fusion of nature’s best: mineral-rich clays, nourishing oils, and pure botanical extracts. Each ingredient is chosen to benefit your skin naturally. Whether you want to detoxify, hydrate, or simply enjoy a delightful scent, there’s a clay-and-oil combination in our range to suit you. Clay soaps are a perfect way to honor your body with earth-born skincare.

🧪 Want to know what goes into our soap base itself? We never use lye in our process. Discover our Lye-Free Soapmaking post to learn more.
➡️ Curious about our scent combinations? Read our The Power of Essential Oils blog next!

Sources:

Evaluation of the medicinal use of clay minerals as antibacterial agents: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Scenario of Clays and Clay Minerals Use in Cosmetics/Dermocosmetics: mdpi.com
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Lye-Free Soapmaking: leitrimsoaps.com