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Bentonite Clay
Bentonite
Volcanic-ash-derived clay. Strong oil-absorbing action; can over-dry if used too often.
What it does
Bentonite (and the related Aztec Indian Healing Clay product) is a strongly absorbent clay with significant oil-absorbing power. Useful in masks for oily and acne-prone skin, where the drawing effect helps clear congestion. Counterproductive on dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin — the drying action can leave the barrier worse than it found it. Once a week is usually sufficient.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusIf skin is reactive, peeling, stinging, or burning unexpectedly, pause all actives and rebuild the barrier with simple cleanser, ceramide-rich moisturizer, and SPF for 2–4 weeks before re-introducing actives one at a time.Lodén 2003 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
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