About clay minerals

Clay is a porous, soft material, which is categorized according to its unique mineral content and crystal structure. Four main clay mineral groups can be distinguished: Smectite or Montmorillonite, Kaolinite, Illite, and Chlorite. 

What is a clay mineral?

Clay minerals are the main components of sediments and rocks consisting of fine-grained particles, which are found in mineral deposits on the Earth's surface.

 

We distinguish approximately 30 different types of "pure" clay, such as kaolin, illite, or montmorillonite (bentonite).

 

Clay is a mixture of clay minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite), where one or two minerals dominate. In addition, clay also contains other naturally occurring mineral debris and materials (e.g., feldspar, quartz, calcite, dolomite).

What determines the color of clay minerals?

Although color is often used to identify and distinguish clays, it is not the most reliable method of identification.


Their classification into clay mineral groups can be performed based on their unique mineral content and crystal structure. Most clay minerals occur in a variety of colors in nature.

 

The color of clay minerals reflects the diversity of the unique minerals and organic materials found in the clay. Depending on their metal content, plant derivatives, oxidation processes, and other impurities, they can be white, greenish, bluish, yellowish, reddish/pinkish, purplish, or brown.

In which industry is it used?

Clay is a very common rock type and one of our most important industrial raw materials, present in many areas of life—most widely in paper production, pottery, and other specialized fields. Tens of millions of tons of clay are processed annually for applications such as papermaking. (U.S. Geological Survey)
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What is the effect of clay minerals?

A significant natural ingredient in cosmetic products, primarily due to its exfoliating and absorbent properties. When processed correctly, its powerful magnetic cleansing effect and high mineral content also take effect. 

What is its composition?

The components of clay minerals are largely constant, but their proportions may vary depending on the extraction site and processing method.

 

• Silicon dioxide;
• Aluminum oxide;
• Iron oxide;
• Titanium dioxide;
• Calcium;
• Potassium;
• Magnesium;
• Zinc;
• Nitrogen salts.

What is its effect?

• Mattifying

• Cleansing

• Improves skin condition

What does its effect depend on?

• Mineral composition, soluble mineral content
• Ion exchange capacity
• Molecular structure: sorption properties, specific surface area of the molecule
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KAOLIN

Kaolinite group

It is primarily most suitable for normal, dry, and sensitive skin. It is characterized by gentle absorbent and cleansing properties

Mineral composition

Kaolin clay mineral was formed by the hydrothermal decomposition of igneous rocks. The main component of kaolin is kaolinite, but it often contains small amounts of quartz, illite, montmorillonite, mica, and feldspar.

 

Kaolin, also known as white clay, is rich in minerals and contains large amounts of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide.

 

The most common color of kaolin is light, off-white. However, it can often be pale yellowish or brownish-red due to high iron content and other mineral impurities.

Ion-exchange capacity

The ion exchange capacity of kaolinite is lower compared to other clay minerals: 3 – 15 meq/100g. Ion exchange capacity refers to the amount of cations (minerals and salts) it is capable of storing and exchanging.

Molecular structure

The unique, plate-like crystal structure of the kaolinite clay mineral functions similarly to a magnet, binding impurities, dead skin cells, secretions, and excess sebum at a molecular level.

 

The specific surface area of the plate-like structure of the molecules that make up kaolin is smaller, and its absorbent capacity is lower, than that of most clay minerals. Thanks to its fine particles, it exfoliates and cleanses gently; however, due to its low water-binding capacity, it does not dry out the skin, making it suitable for treating normal and dry skin types. Thanks to its mineral composition, it can have a soothing effect on inflamed skin surfaces.
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ILLIT

Illite group

Primarily suitable for normal and combination skin. It is characterized by medium-intensity absorbent and cleansing power.

Mineral composition

Illite-type clays form through the decomposition of potassium- and aluminum-rich rocks. Illite clays are the primary constituents of ancient sedimentary rocks ("mudrocks") and shale.

 

The illite clay mineral is most commonly grayish-white, silvery-white, and greenish-gray.

Ion-exchange capacity

The ion exchange capacity of illite is low compared to other clay minerals, at 10-40 Meq/g. Ion exchange capacity refers to the amount of cations (minerals and salts) it is capable of storing and exchanging.

Molecular structure

The unique, primarily lamellar crystal structure of the illite clay mineral functions similarly to a magnet, binding and absorbing impurities, dead skin cells, secretions, and excess sebum at a molecular level.

 

The specific surface area of the molecules making up illite is considered moderate among clay minerals, resulting in a medium-intensity absorption capacity. This makes it suitable for treating normal and combination skin types.
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MONTMORILLONITE

Smectite group

Primarily suitable for combination and oily skin. It is characterized by strong absorbent and purifying properties.

Mineral composition

The clay mineral montmorillonite was formed in a marine environment through the decomposition of volcanic ash. Montmorillonite may often contain small amounts of plagioclase, kaolinite, clinoptilolite, quartz, and biotite.

 

The most common occurrence of the clay mineral montmorillonite is bentonite. The main mineral component of bentonite is montmorillonite. There are two main varieties of bentonite, depending on whether calcium or sodium is the dominant component.

 

Bentonite and Fuller’s Earth, whose main components are the montmorillonite clay mineral, belong to the montmorillonite or smectite group.

Ion-exchange capacity

The ion exchange capacity of montmorillonite is high, 80-120 Meq/g, and it is capable of binding many times its own volume. Ion exchange capacity refers to the amount of cations (minerals and salts) it is capable of storing and exchanging.

Molecular structure

The unique, primarily spongy crystal structure of the montmorillonite clay mineral functions similarly to a sponge, binding moisture, fat molecules, excess sebum, impurities, dead skin cells, and secretions at a molecular level and then absorbing them.

 

The specific surface area of the molecules making up montmorillonite is large compared to other clay minerals, and its absorption capacity is intense.

 

The specific surface area of the spongy structure of the molecules that make up montmorillonite is large, and its absorbent capacity is higher than that of most clay minerals, resulting in intense absorption. This makes it suitable for treating oily skin types. It cleanses intensely, effectively binds fat molecules and impurities, and its firming properties help to reduce the visibility of enlarged pores. Thanks to its mineral composition, it can have a soothing effect on inflamed skin surfaces.
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CHLORITE

Chlorite group

Primarily suitable for normal and combination skin. It is characterized by medium-intensity absorbent and cleansing power.

Mineral composition

Chlorite can form from the hydrothermal decomposition of almost any rock type, where the recrystallization of clay minerals results in chlorite.

 

Chlorite is a widespread group of phyllosilicate minerals, occurring in both macroscopic and clay-sized dimensions; they are hydrous aluminum silicates, typically composed of magnesium and iron.

Ion-exchange capacity

The ion exchange capacity of chlorite is low compared to other clay minerals, at 10-40 meq/g. Ion exchange capacity refers to the quantity of cations (minerals and salts) a substance is capable of storing and exchanging.

Molecular structure

The unique, primarily cornflake-like crystal structure of the chlorite clay mineral functions similarly to a magnet, binding and absorbing impurities, dead skin cells, secretions, and excess sebum at a molecular level.

 

The specific surface area of the molecules making up chlorite is considered moderate among clay minerals, resulting in a medium-intensity absorption capacity. This makes it suitable for treating normal and combination skin types.
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DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

Fossil algae

It is primarily most suitable for normal, dry, and sensitive skin. It is characterized by gentle absorbent and cleansing power and a high mineral content.

Mineral composition

Diatomaceous earth is also a mineral substance. Clay minerals belonging to the illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and chlorite groups are so-called "earth clays" that form from the decomposition of igneous rocks or ash, while diatomaceous earth is an accumulation of amorphous silica skeletons of fossil algae (diatoms).

 

Diatomaceous earth, also known as kieselguhr, is a soft, earthy, sedimentary material with a high organic silica content. Diatomaceous earth/kieselguhr is an organic, microcrystalline mineral substance formed from the skeletons of diatoms (fossil algae) that settled in seas and lakes. Silica is a natural compound consisting of oxygen and silicon molecules. Silica occurs naturally in the human body and plants, and it makes up more than a quarter of the Earth's crust.

 

The typical chemical composition of diatomaceous earth features a high silica content, as well as high levels of calcium and magnesium.

Ion-exchange capacity

The ion exchange capacity of diatomaceous earth is moderate compared to other clay minerals, at 20 – 27 Meq/g. Ion exchange capacity refers to the amount of cations (minerals and salts) it is capable of storing and exchanging.

Molecular structure

Diatomaceous earth/kieselguhr is a microcrystalline mineral substance formed from the skeletons of diatoms. Under a microscope, these skeletons appear as porous, cylindrical tubes of various shapes. Its microcrystalline structure functions similarly to a magnet, binding impurities, dead skin cells, secretions, and excess sebum at a molecular level.

 

The specific surface area of the molecules that make up diatomaceous earth is very low compared to other clay minerals, and its absorbency is also low. Thanks to its fine particles, it exfoliates and cleanses gently without drying out the skin, making it suitable for treating dry, normal, and problematic skin types. Due to its high ion-exchange capacity and mineral content (magnesium, calcium), it revitalizes the skin.
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The history of kaolin mining

Where was the world's first kaolin deposit located?

Clay first appeared as a raw material in Northeast China, where the history of its mining dates back to the third century BC. The name "kaolin" also comes from its first site, originating from the Chinese word "Kao-Ling," meaning "High Hill." 

 

Mining of white clay in the region has been quite extensive over the past centuries, as there is a long tradition of porcelain making in China. Although large-scale mining began in China, most of the truly high-quality kaolin is not extracted from Chinese mines. Most countries have some level of kaolin deposits, but it is very rare to find a site where white clay of suitable quality and quantity is available for extraction and use. 

Where are the most significant kaolin deposits located in the world?

Most countries have some level of kaolin deposits, but it is very rare to find sites where white clay is of sufficient quality and quantity for extraction and use. The United States leads in white clay mining, accounting for 40% of total global kaolin production.

Where are the most significant kaolin deposits located in Europe?

In Europe, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic are the largest producers and exporters of kaolin. In the eastern part of Central Europe, there are several smaller kaolin deposits, and smaller kaolin deposits can also be found in Hungary. 

 

Currently, there is one mine in operation in the northern part of Hungary (in Felsőpetény), where a significant quantity of white clay (kaolin) is being extracted. Deep-shaft mining in the area began in the 1920s, primarily for the extraction of grey clay. The mining of white clay began in the 1960s, which, due to its refractory properties, was suitable for the production of ceramic casting slips and other plastic masses. Currently, only high-quality kaolin is being extracted.

What characterizes the deposit of the clay used to produce Maskaolin products?

The mineral deposit for Maskaolin products is located in the northern part of Hungary (Felsőpetény), where currently only high-quality kaolin extraction takes place. The kaolin used in Maskaolin products for cosmetic purposes is extracted from layers close to the surface that remained untouched during previous mining activities.

 

In Felsőpetény, the white clay was formed 150 million years ago during the Triassic geological period; it is a sediment of the former Tethys Ocean, which is why it possesses an extremely high mineral content. The clay deposits are of outstanding quality, not heavily contaminated with iron-containing minerals or plant-based materials, so their whiteness is natural. Due to its chemical and physical properties, it is suitable for the production of cosmetic raw materials.

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