Black clay

Product Information

CosmySupplies supplies Black Kaolin Cosmetic Grade, trade name Tersil CB by Terramater Argilas Especiais Brasileiras, Brazil (INCI: Kaolin, CAS 1332-58-7) in India. A micronized natural black clay from the limestone region of Paraná, Brazil. ECOCERT certified natural and organic. COSMOS ORGANIC approved. Vegan, Halal, and Kosher. Clinically tested: 87% sebum control, 90% dandruff reduction, and 90% combability improvement in shampoo efficacy study. Asbestos-free, confirmed by EU laboratory transmission electron microscopy. Use level 2 to 10% in hair care, 3 to 10% in skin care, 20 to 60% in face and body masks. COA available on request. Shipped from Bengaluru across India. Available at cosmysupplies.com.

INCI: Kaolin | CAS: 1332-58-7 | EINECS: 310-194-1 | COSING REF: 34795 | CI: 77004

Trade name: Tersil CB | Supplier: Terramater Argilas Especiais Brasileiras, Brazil

Form: Fine black powder | Particle size (median): 15.00 micrometres | Alveolar silica: less than 0.1%

Chemical composition: SiO2 50.00 to 68.00% | Al2O3 13.00 to 38.00% | Fe2O3 0.50 to 3.50% | TiO2 1.00 to 3.25%

Zeta potential (cosmetic pH range): negative 31.45 to negative 46.15 mV

Oil absorption: 91.15% | Water absorption: 68.40%

Functions (EU CosIng): Absorbent, Anticaking, Opacifying, Slip Modifier, Viscosity Controlling

Certifications: ECOCERT Natural and Organic | COSMOS ORGANIC | Vegan | Halal | Kosher | Asbestos-free

Shelf life: 48 months | pH stability: 3.00 to 12.00 | Thermal stability: up to 95 degrees Celsius

Benefits

Clinical proof

Tersil CB is the only ingredient in the CosmySupplies catalogue that carries a dedicated consumer clinical efficacy study. The study used 31 volunteers over 30 days of daily shampoo use with a formula containing 4.5% Tersil CB. Results: 87% of volunteers reported hair oil control. 90% reported reduction of dandruff. 29% reported reduced scalp itchiness. These are not manufacturer marketing claims. They are the results of a controlled consumer use study described with full methodology in the Terramater TDS. For a startup brand building an anti-dandruff or scalp treatment shampoo, this efficacy data is the foundation of a credible product claim that can be carried through to their label and marketing materials with the qualifying language: 'formulated with Tersil CB, clinically tested for sebum control and dandruff reduction (study in 31 volunteers, 30 days use at 4.5% in shampoo)'.

Clinically proven thermal protection

A second clinical study in the Terramater TDS evaluated the thermal protection provided by Tersil CB. Using 14 hair locks subjected to 10 cycles of hairdryer and flat iron drying, the study found that hair initially washed with a shampoo containing 4% Tersil CB showed 43% less breakage than hair washed with a placebo shampoo, 28% more softness, and 90% improvement in combability. The proposed mechanism is closure of hair cuticles and physical protection of the hair shaft during the thermal stress cycle. For a brand building a heat protection shampoo or a pre-styling treatment, this is actionable efficacy data from the supplier, not from a third-party study, but it is specific, methodologically described, and referenced.

COSMOS ORGANIC approved: the clean beauty positioning advantage

Most black clays sold in the Indian market are generic mineral powders with no certifications. Tersil CB is certified ECOCERT Natural and Organic and approved for use in COSMOS ORGANIC cosmetic formulations. This means brands buying this clay can use it in products certified under COSMOS, ECOCERT, Natrue, and equivalent natural cosmetic standards. The decontamination process that achieves the microbiological specification uses no gamma radiation, no chemical agents, and generates no waste. It is approved by ECOCERT France and COSMOS specifically because of this clean process. For a startup brand building an organic hair care range or a natural skin care line with ECOCERT certification ambitions, this clay can anchor the formulation. No other black clay currently available at indie scale in India carries this.

Asbestos-free confirmed by EU laboratory testing

Asbestos contamination is a legitimate concern with any black or dark clay sourced from volcanic or mineral-rich geological deposits. Terramater addressed this proactively: all clays in the Tersil line were evaluated in an EU laboratory using Transmission Electron Microscopy per NF X 43-050 (January 1996) and the French Decree of 6 March 2003. No asbestos fibres were detected in any Terramater clay. This EU-method asbestos-free confirmation is a significant safety differentiator that generic clay suppliers do not provide. For any brand building a product in a regulated market or for export, this confirmation removes a major liability concern.

Anti-pollution and detox through phyllosilicate adsorption

Tersil CB has a phyllosilicate structure that absorbs and adsorbs both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances. This dual absorption mechanism is responsible for the detox and anti-pollution claims. In hair care, the clay lifts environmental pollutants, excess sebum, styling product wax build-up, and sweat from the scalp and hair shaft without stripping natural lipids. In skin care, it adsorbs pore-level impurities, pollutants, and excess surface oil. The negative zeta potential (negative 31.45 to negative 46.15 mV in the cosmetic pH range) is separately responsible for skin homeostasis acceleration: a negative electric field at the skin surface supports barrier repair and healing per the cited scientific reference 

Rheology modifier

At 1 to 6% in gels and emulsions, Tersil CB significantly increases thixotropy. The TDS provides rotational viscometer data showing that the medium force required to spread a gel formulation containing Tersil CB is substantially lower than the same formula without it. Thixotropy is the property that makes a product feel fluid under shear (application to skin) but firm at rest (stability in the jar). For a face cream or hair mask where the consumer experience of spreadability is a quality signal, Tersil CB at 1 to 4% in the formulation directly improves that sensory. It also improves emulsion stability by contributing to particle surface charge balance alongside its high cation exchange capacity of 58 to 64 eq/g.

Applications 

For anti-dandruff and scalp treatment shampoos

Use at 2 to 5% in shampoo formulations targeting dandruff, scalp oiliness, and scalp itch. The efficacy study used 4 to 4.5% in combination with standard anionic surfactants (SLES 23%, cocamidopropyl betaine 4%, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate 4%) at pH 5.0 to 5.5. At these concentrations, Tersil CB acts as a scalp active, adsorbing sebum and supporting scalp homeostasis. Suspend in the surfactant base with mild agitation. Recommend an anti-caking thickener such as Magnesium Aluminum Silicate or Xanthan Gum to prevent clay settling in liquid shampoo format.

For heat protection shampoos and pre-styling treatments

Use at 3 to 5% in shampoos or rinse-off pre-styling treatments designed to protect hair from heat styling damage. The thermal protection study used 4% in a standard shampoo base. The mechanism is physical: the clay platelet structure deposits on the hair cuticle during washing and provides a mineral film that cushions the fibre from direct heat contact during blow-drying and flat ironing. This is the basis for the combability, softness, and reduced breakage results observed in the clinical study.

For face masks and body masks

Use at 20 to 60% in dry or wet face and body mask formulations. At these concentrations, Tersil CB provides the primary functional base of the mask: clay mineral adsorption of surface impurities and sebum, mineral trace element delivery, and the thermal sensory effect characteristic of mineral clay masks. At 20 to 30% it produces a light, creamy, easy-rinse mask texture. At 40 to 60% it produces a firm, traditional clay mask texture with a tightening effect on application. Confirm the finished product lead contribution from the batch COA lead value before publishing mask guidance above 20% concentration.

For skin care

Use at 3 to 10% in O/W creams and lotions, and 2 to 6% in W/O formulations. At these concentrations Tersil CB functions as a mattifying agent, sebum control active, sensory modifier, and rheology improver. In an O/W moisturiser at 5%, it reduces the perceived oiliness of the formula on application, absorbs post-application sebum, and contributes the slight mineral richness sensory that characterises premium mineral skincare.

For gels and serums

Use at 3 to 6% in aqueous gels and serum-type formulations. At these concentrations it increases thixotropy, improves the texture of gels on application, and contributes anti-pollution and detox claims. Compatible with carbomer-based gels, xanthan gum systems, and hydroxyethylcellulose thickened systems. The high negative zeta potential of Tersil CB means it is most stable in formulations where the continuous phase is also negatively charged, which is the case for most anionic and non-ionic gel systems used in cosmetics.

For soaps, shower gels, and liquid cleansers

Use at 4 to 15% in liquid soaps and cleansers, 2 to 10% in shower gels, and 5 to 15% in bar soaps. In liquid cleansers, Tersil CB enhances detergency through its adsorption mechanism, adds mineral mineral texture, and acts as a visual differentiator through its distinctive black colour. The COSMOS ORGANIC certification means it can be used in certified natural soap and cleanser formulations without compromising organic claims.

How to Use

Addition method for rinse-off products

For shampoos and liquid cleansers: disperse Tersil CB in a portion of the water phase with agitation before adding surfactants. Alternatively, disperse in a small amount of propylene glycol or glycerin to form a clay slurry before incorporating into the aqueous base. An anti-settling agent such as Magnesium Aluminum Silicate at 1 to 2% or Xanthan Gum at 0.3 to 0.5% prevents clay sedimentation in the finished liquid product during shelf life. Adjust pH to 5.0 to 5.5 for shampoo applications as per the efficacy study formula.

Addition method for masks and skin care

For dry masks: Tersil CB can be used as the powder base directly. Mix with other dry ingredients before packaging. For wet or prepared masks at 20 to 60%, disperse the clay in water with vigorous mixing or homogenisation. For O/W emulsions, disperse in the water phase at room temperature before combining with the oil phase. Tersil CB is thermally stable up to 95 degrees Celsius and is compatible with hot manufacturing processes if required.

pH and temperature stability

Stable from pH 3.00 to 12.00. Thermally stable up to 95 degrees Celsius. Stable on exposure to artificial light and sunlight. No special pH or temperature processing precautions are required. This wide stability window makes it compatible with virtually all standard cosmetic manufacturing conditions.

Batch variation note

As a natural mineral raw material, Tersil CB may show colour and composition variation between batches. The black colour intensity and exact mineral percentages may vary within the ranges stated in the TDS. Formulators developing products where the finished product colour is a key quality attribute should evaluate each batch on receipt and adjust formulation if needed to achieve consistent colour in the finished product.

Claims You Can Make

For your label:

ECOCERT Certified | COSMOS ORGANIC Approved | 100% Natural Black Clay | Brazilian Mineral Clay | Vegan | Halal | Kosher | Asbestos-Free | Natural Detox Active | Sebum Control | Anti-Dandruff Ingredient | Thermal Protection | Anti-Pollution

Clinically supported claims (with correct qualifying language):

87% Hair Oil Control — use as: formulated with Tersil CB, shown to support 87% sebum control in a consumer use study (31 volunteers, 30 days, 4.5% in shampoo, Terramater Efficacy Study).

90% Dandruff Reduction — use as: formulated with Tersil CB, shown to support 90% dandruff reduction in a consumer use study (31 volunteers, 30 days, 4.5% in shampoo, Terramater Efficacy Study).

43% Less Heat-Related Breakage — use as: formulated with Tersil CB, shown to reduce heat-related hair breakage by 43% versus placebo (Terramater thermal protection study, 14 hair locks, 10 heat cycles).

90% Combability Improvement — use as: formulated with Tersil CB, shown to improve combability by 90% versus placebo (Terramater thermal protection study).

For formulation support or sample requests, contact the CosmySupplies team.

WhatsApp | Email: info@cosmysupplies.com

Technical Information

Pairs Well With

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)

Primary anionic surfactant in the Terramater TDS efficacy study shampoo formula. Tersil CB at 4 to 4.5% in an SLES 23% base produced the 87% sebum control and 90% dandruff reduction results. This is the most validated pairing in the CSW catalogue for any ingredient.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Amphoteric co-surfactant used alongside SLES in the Terramater TDS study formulas. Part of the validated shampoo base for the clinical efficacy data.

Xanthan Gum

Suspension thickener used at 0.5% in the TDS study shampoo formula to prevent clay settling in liquid format. Essential pairing for any liquid cleanser or shampoo containing Tersil CB.

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Anti-settling agent used at 1.35 to 1.90% in the TDS study shampoo formulas. Prevents clay sedimentation in liquid shampoo and cleanser bases.

Glycerin

Humectant added to the water phase in skin care and mask formulations. Glycerin at 3 to 5% alongside Tersil CB in a face cream or mask improves skin feel and prevents over-drying from the clay's oil absorption activity.

Kaolin 

Standard white kaolin used alongside Tersil CB to adjust colour depth in face masks and skin care formulations where a grey or mid-tone mineral finish is desired rather than full black.

Important Information

Tersil CB is a natural mineral raw material. As a raw material of natural origin, there may be variations in colour and composition between batches. Formulators developing products where consistent finished product colour is required should evaluate each new batch on receipt before committing to full-scale production.

Tersil CB contains trace heavy metals as naturally occurring mineral impurities. All values are within specification limits tested by Terramater. Arsenic less than 6 ppm, cadmium less than 0.30 ppm, lead less than 45 ppm, mercury less than 1.30 ppm . Formulators should calculate the finished product contribution of heavy metals at their intended use concentration to confirm compliance with the applicable regulatory limits in their target market. COA is available on request with batch-specific metal values.

Powder handling precaution: as with all fine mineral powders, avoid inhalation during weighing and incorporation. Use appropriate dust protection (mask or enclosed weighing area) when handling quantities above 50g. This is a standard occupational safety precaution for all powdered cosmetic ingredients and is not specific to any safety concern unique to Tersil CB.

Tersil CB is asbestos-free, confirmed by EU laboratory transmission electron microscopy testing (NF X 43-050, 1996). No asbestos fibres detected.

Clinical safety: Tersil CB has undergone clinical safety trials. No potential for primary dermal irritation, accumulated dermal irritation, or dermal sensitisation was found.

COA is available on request. No download link. Contact us via WhatsApp or email.