The ingredient, explained

Montmorillonite

Montmorillonite has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

AbsorbentBulkingEmulsion stabilisingStabilisingViscosity controlling

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Montmorillonite

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Absorbent: Takes up dispersed or dissolved material, including water or oils.
Bulking: Changes a product's bulk density.
Emulsion stabilising: Helps keep an emulsion from separating.
Stabilising: Helps maintain the stability of ingredients or the finished formula.
Viscosity controlling: Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The assessment reviews clay composition, dermal and systemic toxicology and ingredient-specific studies; its Montmorillonite conclusion excludes incidentally inhaled products because data are insufficient.

What this does not tell us

Safety assessment, not skin efficacy. Impurity composition, particle form and exposure route matter; inhalation safety is unresolved. Modified clays do not automatically characterize unmodified Montmorillonite.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.1177/10915818261455355 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 1 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.