Bentonite is a montmorillonite-rich absorbent clay used in masks and cleansers to adsorb excess sebum, oils, and impurities from the skin. It also acts as a thickening and stabilizing agent in cosmetic formulations.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin dryness or tightness | Common | Due to its oil-absorbing action, especially on dry or sensitive skin. |
Irritation or redness | Uncommon | May occur with prolonged contact or overuse. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Hypersensitivity reactions are infrequently reported. |
Respiratory irritation from powder | Rare | Relevant mainly when handling dry clay powder; inhalation should be avoided. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.