Ingredient glossary / Texture and thickener
Bentonite clay
On the label: Bentonite · Texture and thickener
What it is
A swelling volcanic clay that absorbs oil and thickens; the strong, drying clay of 'deep cleansing' masks.
Texture and thickeners: Thickeners and film formers give a product its body and feel, from gums to silicones.
Wikidata: Smectite clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. Q380149 →
In the research
104 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Multi-pathway human exposure to NORM from facial foundation powders available on the Turkish market: Assessing lifetime cancer risks for adult users · Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP, 2026
- Assessment of the feed additive consisting of bentonite (dioctahedral montmorillonite) as an anticaking agent for all animal species and as a substance for reduction of the contami · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2026
- Macroheterocycle-functionalized PVDF meshes with hybrid nanocomposite coatings for antibacterial wound care · RSC advances, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
2 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther texture and thickeners
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