Clays in cream to help lift the beard hair for shaving? Rhassoul clay, Kaolin clay

[EssDoubleYou]

Hi Guys:

I wonder if any of you can help me out re the above. I bought some artisanal small volume run shave cream the other day. The person described the ingredients, I recognized all the others, but not these clays. He said that Rhassoul and Kaolin clays, in addition to being good for cleaning pores (I guess women use it in facial masks), also keep the beard hair from sticking to your skin/lift the hair up to it can be sheared by your razor. I can't find any info on the 'net so I thought I would ask the real experts. Any insight here? Thanks

BTW: It was a great SOTD, so perhaps the above played a part.

 

[mmack66]

I've never used a shaving soap with clay in it, and have never had any issues cutting my beard, and I doubt that clay mixed in with soap does much pore cleaning either. What I seem to recall about clay in shaving soap is that it makes the soap more slick.

 

[global_dev]

Slickness was what i thought i heard. Clay helping hair to stay up doesnt quite make sense to me without further explanation.

 

[jzuzphreek]

The soap-making-resource guy, who has some recipes for veggie shaving soaps uses Bentonite clay - for slickness. I'm not sure of any other benefits, but I know different clays are used in cosmetic products.

 

[jzuzphreek]

This may help....

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/newsletter/06/guide_to_clays.php

Re: Rhassoul Clay

Because of the high mineral content, astringent properties, and absorption properties, Rhassoul clay is a wonderful and effective clay for cleansing, detoxification, and for general skin care treatments.

Re: Kaolin Clay

This clay will gently draw impurities from the skin without removing natural oils while simultaneously exfoliating, cleansing, and stimulating circulation. White clay is suitable for all skin types, whether it be oily, blemish prone, normal, sensitive, dry, or mature skin.

They're both very absorbent. I wonder what effect that has on building a satisfactory lather.

 

[EssDoubleYou]

Very helpful; thank you. Lots of good things that clay seems to do, though I am still not sure if it does what the guy told me to do.

 

[CFSoto]

Hi Guys:

I wonder if any of you can help me out re the above. I bought some artisanal small volume run shave cream the other day. The person described the ingredients, I recognized all the others, but not these clays. He said that Rhassoul and Kaolin clays, in addition to being good for cleaning pores (I guess women use it in facial masks), also keep the beard hair from sticking to your skin/lift the hair up to it can be sheared by your razor. I can't find any info on the 'net so I thought I would ask the real experts. Any insight here? Thanks

BTW: It was a great SOTD, so perhaps the above played a part.

If I'm not mistaken,the Spencer Devon Shaving creams have Kaolin clays in them,in addition to shea butter. All I can say is that the Spencer Devon creams I've used are superb. Very slick and great cushion. IMO,well worth the $.. And its made in the USA.

Craig

 

[mikey]

Debatably, the clay is supposed to be for extra slip. It causes problems (burning sensation, etc.) for some people.

Some, misinformed, artisan soapmakers think they can simply add clay to their standard recipe, pour it into a round mold and, erroneously, call it shave soap.

FWIW, I don't particularly care for soaps and creams that contain clays.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jkingrph]

Kaolin, a white clay, would tend to thicken and add some slickness. If you really want slick add some HBN hexagonal boron nitride.