Illite (Green Clay)
Green clay mineral that absorbs oil and gently cleanses pores. The drawing ingredient in classic clay masks.
What it does
Illite is a fine-grained phyllosilicate clay mineral and the primary component of most 'French green clay' products. It works through physical absorption: the clay's layered, negatively-charged surface binds sebum, excess oil, and surface debris and lifts them away on rinsing. Studies in laboratory settings show illite also has mild antimicrobial activity — the charged mineral surface disrupts bacterial membranes, including MRSA in mouse skin models — but the clinical skincare evidence is largely observational. Used in masks and some cleansers. Well-tolerated by most skin types when used 1–2 times per week; daily use can strip barrier lipids and dry out the skin, especially for drier skin types.
Also known as
green clay, french green clay, sea clay
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