NOW Foods Bentonite Clay Powder 11 oz.

What it is

NOW® Solutions Bentonite Clay Powder is a single-ingredient cosmetic clay powder for face and body masks, supplied in an 11 oz. (312 g) wide-mouth jar. It is a dry powder, not a ready-made paste — you mix each application yourself with water or raw apple cider vinegar. The jar front identifies it as pure bentonite clay powder for face and body, and the panel on the side lists exactly one ingredient: bentonite. It is a topical cosmetic marked for external use only, not something to be swallowed.

What's inside

The ingredient list on this jar has one entry: Bentonite. There is no second active, no carrier, no fragrance, no preservative and no colorant — the powder in the jar is the whole formula.

Bentonite is a naturally occurring mineral clay, formed over geological time from weathered volcanic ash. It takes its name from a rock formation in the American West, and deposits are mined in several regions worldwide. In its dry state it is a fine, soft, pale gray-to-cream powder; mixed with liquid it swells and thickens into a spreadable paste, which is why it has been a traditional base for cosmetic masks and why clay masks are mixed fresh rather than sold pre-hydrated. That thickening behavior is a physical property of the clay itself, and it is the reason the label specifies equal parts powder and liquid.

Because the list is one line long, this is an unusually easy product to check against a personal ingredient-avoidance list. There are no parabens, no synthetic fragrance, no petrolatum and no essential oils present, for the simple reason that nothing other than the clay is in the jar.

Product specifications

How to use it

The label's directions are to mix one tablespoon of the clay with an equal amount of water or raw apple cider vinegar to create a thick paste. Apply the paste to the face and neck area, avoiding sensitive areas. Allow 10–20 minutes to dry, then rinse with warm water, pat the area dry, and apply a moisturizer of choice. The label gives a frequency of 1–2 times weekly, or as needed.

For broader areas on the body, the directions say you may need to double the amount mixed, depending on how much surface area you are covering, following the same application steps. Because the powder is measured by the tablespoon, an 11 oz. jar covers a long run of single applications; how far it goes depends on how much area you cover each time.

Mix in a non-metal bowl with a non-metal spoon if you want to follow the usual convention for clay masks, and mix only what you intend to use — the paste is made fresh each time. Keep the lid closed and the powder dry between uses.

Who it's for

This suits adults who want a plain, unscented clay powder they mix themselves rather than a pre-blended mask in a tube. Because the formula is one ingredient, it is a reasonable starting point for people who prefer to control what goes onto their skin, and for anyone who likes to blend their own masks and adjust the consistency. It also appeals to shoppers who read ingredient lists closely, since there is very little list to read. You can browse the rest of our Face Masks range for other formats, or the wider Body Care section for cleansers and moisturizers to use alongside it.

It is intended for adults 18 and over. It is not suitable for anyone who wants a ready-to-apply product with no mixing step, and it is not a supplement — the jar is marked for external use only.

Good to know

The label states plainly that this product is for external use only and should not be used on sensitive areas of the body. Avoid the eye area. If you have reactive skin or a known sensitivity, the usual sensible step with any new topical is to patch test a small area first and stop using it if irritation develops. Keep the jar out of reach of children.

The jar itself carries a Non-GMO Project Verified mark, a Gluten Free mark, and a PETA Approved mark covering vegan status and NOW's global animal test policy. It is packaged by NOW Foods in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and the panel states Made in the USA. For customers outside the United States, the same panel names responsible-person contacts in Spain and the United Kingdom.

No California Proposition 65 warning is printed anywhere on this package. If you are unfamiliar with what those warnings are and when California requires them, the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment publishes a general guide to Proposition 65 warnings and a set of chemical fact sheets as background reading. Neither page refers to this product.

Frequently asked questions

What is actually in NOW Solutions Bentonite Clay Powder?

One ingredient: bentonite. The ingredient panel on the jar lists bentonite and nothing else, so there is no added fragrance, preservative, colorant or oil in the powder. Bentonite is a naturally occurring mineral clay derived from weathered volcanic ash.

How do I mix it into a mask?

Mix one tablespoon of the powder with an equal amount of water or raw apple cider vinegar until it forms a thick paste. Apply that paste to the face and neck, avoiding sensitive areas, let it dry for 10–20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. The label suggests following with a moisturizer of choice.

How often does the label say to use it?

One to two times weekly, or as needed. That frequency is printed in the suggested-use directions on the jar. Each application is mixed fresh, so there is no prepared mixture to store between uses.

Can I use it on my body as well as my face?

Yes — the jar is marked for face and body. For broader areas the directions say you may need to double the amount you mix, depending on the surface area being covered, and to follow the same application steps. The label also states the product should not be used on sensitive areas of the body, and that it is for external use only.

How big is the jar and how is my order packaged?

The jar holds 11 oz. (312 g) of powder and is a white wide-mouth screw-top tub. Orders are shipped in plain, discreet packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe product specifications directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition or a known allergy to any listed ingredient. Keep out of reach of children.