Calamine Clay Powder

Product Information

CosmySupplies supplies Calamine Clay Powder Cosmetic Grade (INCI: Calamine, CAS: 8011-96-9) in India. A fine pink mineral powder of zinc oxide and iron oxide, batch tested at pH 4.56 with heavy metals and microbial limits confirmed within specification. Functions as absorbent, skin protecting agent, and mattifier in cosmetic formulations. Used in face masks, acne spot treatments, and soothing skin care. COA available on request. Shipped from Bengaluru across India.

INCI: Calamine  |  CAS: 8011-96-9  |  EINECS: 232-474-7  |  COSING REF: 31373  |  Composition: Zinc Oxide (ZnO) with approximately 0.5% Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)  |  Origin: Mineral, synthetic

COSING Functions: Absorbent | Opacifying | Skin Protecting

Used In: Soothing Face Mask | Acne Spot Treatment | Clay Mask | Loose Face Powder | Compact Powder | Baby Care Powder | After-Sun Preparation | Calamine Lotion Base | Soap

Batch Tested | pH 4.56 Confirmed | Heavy Metals Passed | Pink Mineral Powder | Mattifying

Benefits

•        Functions as a skin protecting agent , forming a mild mineral barrier on the skin surface that reduces external irritant contact and supports the skin's recovery from minor surface stress. The zinc oxide component is the active contributor to skin protection, providing a physical mineral layer without occluding the skin's natural respiration.

•        Acts as an absorbent and mattifier, drawing surface sebum and excess moisture from the skin surface and leaving a matte finish. This absorbent function makes Calamine powder particularly useful in face mask and loose powder formulations targeting oily skin and congested pores, where mattification is a primary consumer expectation.

•        The iron oxide component gives Calamine its characteristic light pink to pink colour, providing a natural pigmentation that covers and softens the appearance of redness and blemishes on the skin surface during application, without the opacity of full-coverage mineral foundations.

•        Mild astringent properties from the zinc oxide content contribute a gentle tightening sensation and help reduce surface oil production during leave-on application and when used as an overnight spot treatment, consistent with the classical use of calamine in cosmetic dermatology for blemish-prone skin.

•        Batch pH of 4.56 confirmed from Vedaoils COA, which falls within the acid mantle range of healthy skin (approximately 4.5 to 5.5) and is compatible with both aqueous and anhydrous cosmetic formulation systems without requiring significant pH correction.

•        Heavy metals passed and microbial limits confirmed well below specification limits, providing a clean microbiological profile appropriate for face mask and skin care formulations.

•        Functions as an opacifying agent in liquid formulations, providing coverage and opacity when dispersed in lotions, creams, and liquid foundation bases, contributing to the pink-tinted covering effect characteristic of calamine-containing products.

•        Chemically stable across a wide range of formulation conditions, compatible with water and oil phases, and disperses cleanly into glycerin or liquid base before incorporation into the aqueous phase of emulsions, reducing clumping during formulation.

Applications

Soothing Face Mask: Calamine Clay Powder is used in face mask formulations at 5 to 20% of the dry blend or water phase, activated with rose water, aloe vera gel, or plain water to form a paste. The zinc oxide content delivers a soothing and mattifying effect during mask application, and the pink pigmentation gives the finished mask a visually appealing colour that signals active mineral content. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. For oily and blemish-prone skin.

Acne Spot Treatment and Drying Lotion: In acne spot treatment formulations, Calamine powder is used at 5 to 15% in a simple water and alcohol base, settled into layers before use (in the style of a classic drying lotion). The zinc oxide contributes mild astringency and sebum absorption at the spot application site. For overnight use on active blemishes. Do not claim anti-acne or treatment of acne as these are drug claims in India.

Loose and Compact Face Powder: In face powder formulations, Calamine powder at 5 to 30% of the powder blend functions as an absorbent and opacifying agent, contributing coverage, mattification, and the pink pigmentation that gives face powders their complexion-evening tone. Compatible with mica, talc, silica, and other mineral powder ingredients.

Baby Care Powder: Calamine powder has a long-established use in baby care powder formulations for its gentle skin-protecting and absorbent properties. In baby powder bases, use at 1 to 5%. Note: aerosol or spray baby powder formats are not recommended due to inhalation concerns with fine mineral powder. Pressed powder or loose powder formats are appropriate.

After-Sun Preparation: In after-sun lotion and gel formulations, Calamine powder at 2 to 5% in the water phase contributes a soothing and cooling sensation on the sun-exposed skin surface. Disperse in glycerin or aloe vera gel base before adding to the water phase for even distribution.

Calamine Lotion Base: Calamine powder is the primary ingredient in traditional calamine lotion formulations. A basic calamine lotion is prepared by dispersing Calamine powder and zinc oxide in a combination of bentonite magma, calcium hydroxide solution, and glycerin. The finished lotion settles on standing and must be shaken before use. Note: calamine lotion with therapeutic claims (anti-itch for specific conditions) would be regulated as a drug in India. Cosmetic-positioned calamine lotion must be framed around soothing and skin-protecting benefits only.

How to Use

For Face Mask: Add Calamine powder to the dry mask blend at 5 to 20% by weight. Mix thoroughly with other dry ingredients. Activate with rose water, aloe vera gel, or water before use. Alternatively, disperse Calamine powder directly in a pre-made clay mask base by mixing into the water phase before other ingredients. Leave the activated mask on the face for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with a moisturiser.

For Emulsions (Lotion and Cream): Pre-disperse Calamine powder in glycerin or a small amount of water at a ratio of 1 part powder to 3 parts glycerin until fully wetted and lump-free. Add the pre-dispersion to the water phase of your emulsion before combining with the oil phase. Use at 1 to 10% of total formula weight. The pre-dispersion step prevents powder clumping in the finished emulsion.

For Powder Formulations: Blend Calamine powder directly with other mineral powder ingredients (mica, talc, silica, kaolin) before sieving. The pink colour of Calamine will tint the finished powder blend. Adjust the ratio of Calamine to other powders to control the depth of pink pigmentation in the finished product.

Inhalation caution: Calamine is a fine mineral powder. Avoid inhaling during handling and formulation. Use in a well-ventilated area. If handling large quantities, use a dust mask. This applies to all fine mineral powders in cosmetic formulation.

Claims You Can Make

For your label and marketing:

Batch Tested | pH 4.56 | Heavy Metals Passed | Pink Mineral Powder | Mattifying | Skin Protecting

For your formulator brief:

Absorbent | Opacifying | Skin Protecting | pH 4.56 | Heavy metals passed | Total plate count less than 10 cfu/mg | Yeast and Mould less than 10 cfu/mg  | Composition: zinc oxide with approximately 0.5% iron oxide

For formulation ratios, batch guidance, and troubleshooting support, contact the CosmySupplies team directly.

WhatsApp   |  Email: info@cosmysupplies.com

Technical Information

Pairs Well With

Kaolin White Clay is the most common pairing with Calamine in face mask formulations. Kaolin provides the absorbent clay base structure; Calamine adds the zinc oxide soothing function and the pink mineral pigmentation. The combination produces a mask that is simultaneously cleansing, soothing, and visually distinctive. Ratio: 70% Kaolin to 30% Calamine for a pink-tinted mask base with balanced absorbency and soothing.

Bentonite Clay paired with Calamine creates a high-absorption, soothing mask for oily and congested skin. Bentonite provides the deep cleansing and oil absorption; Calamine moderates the harshness of the bentonite with its zinc oxide soothing function and adds the pink mineral colour. Use at a ratio of 60% Bentonite to 20% Calamine to prevent the combination from being overly drying on non-oily areas.

Aloe Vera Powder dissolved in water before adding to Calamine creates an activation liquid that combines the soothing and hydrating properties of aloe with the skin-protecting function of Calamine's zinc oxide. This combination is particularly appropriate for after-sun and soothing skin care formulations where the skin surface is compromised or sensitive.

Zinc Oxide is the primary component of Calamine and can be used alongside it in sunscreen and baby care formulations where higher mineral UV protection is required alongside Calamine's skin-protecting function. Adding additional Zinc Oxide to a Calamine-based formulation increases the UV-protecting efficacy while maintaining the soothing and absorbent properties of the Calamine base.

Rose Clay (Pink Kaolin) blended with Calamine creates a layered pink mineral mask formulation with complementary functions: Rose Clay provides gentle Kaolin-based absorbency; Calamine provides zinc oxide skin protection and deeper pink pigmentation. The combination is suitable for normal to sensitive skin types in brightening and soothing mask formulations.

Niacinamide incorporated into a Calamine-containing lotion or serum base adds pore-minimising and sebum-regulating function to the absorbent and mattifying properties of Calamine, creating a multi-function formulation for oily and blemish-prone skin that addresses both active sebum production (Niacinamide) and surface excess oil and protective barrier support (Calamine).

Important Information

Calamine Clay Powder is a fine mineral powder for professional cosmetic formulation use. For external use only. Avoid inhaling fine powder during handling. Work in a well-ventilated area. Perform a patch test before full application in finished formulations, particularly for sensitive skin. Not for internal use. Not for use on open wounds or broken skin. Keep out of reach of children.

Note on skin staining: The iron oxide content in Calamine powder may temporarily tint the skin surface a light pink during mask application. This is normal and rinses off cleanly with water. Use caution with light-coloured towels and bathroom surfaces.