Our Clay's Story
Over 3 million years ago, in the middle of New Zealand’s Malvern Hills ranges, ash from a period of intense volcanic eruptions fell into a nearby glacial lake to create a deposit of one of the world’s rarest clays - now known as New Zealand Glacial Clay.
During recent testing has the clay been identified as a
mineral rich green Nontronite healing clay which is a subclass of the smectite clay group and is very rare. The deposit is extremely remote allowing it to remain pure, consistent and unaltered.
The unique location and external factors leading to its formation means that New Zealand Glacial Clay is the only freshwater glacial clay in the world. Making it the most exclusive commercial glacial clay available on the global market.
NZ Glacial Clay
vs
Common Clays
NZ Glacial Clay isn’t just different, we’re better. Our comparison chart makes it clear — we’re the go-to for those who want their most effective product for detoxifying their skin.
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NZ GLACIAL CLAY
AUSTRALAIN PINK CLAY
FRENCH GREEN CLAY
CANADIAN GLACIAL CLAY
Clay type
Nontronite
Kaolin
Illite
Sea Silt
CEC (Detox Rating)
82/100
3-15/100
25-40/100
7/100
Silca
54.7
44.6
54.0
2.6
Iron
12.2
8.28
6.0
3.4
Calcium
1.41
0.06
1.00
2.36
Magnesium
2.2
0.09
3.00
1.49
POTASSIUM
0.5
0.04
3.00
1.21
pH READING
7 - 7.5
6.5 - 7.5
7 - 8
7 - 8
CEC rating is a measurement that indicates the ability of a substance, typically soil or a material like clay, to hold and exchange positively charged ions, known as cations, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. In skincare, a CEC rating is used to describe how well certain ingredients, like clays or mineral-rich formulations, can attract and bind to impurities, toxins, and excess oils from the skin. A higher CEC rating means the material can hold more of these ions, making it more effective at drawing out unwanted substances from the skin while still maintaining a balance of beneficial minerals. Essentially, the CEC rating is a key indicator of a product's ability to cleanse, detoxify, and nourish the skin, making it particularly useful in products like face masks or cleansers that aim to purify the skin and restore its natural balance.
Silica, a naturally occurring mineral composed of silicon and oxygen, offering a range of benefits for the skin. Silica plays a vital role in supporting the skin's natural collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts, which release collagen to keep the skin plump, tight, and hydrated. As we age and collagen production declines, the skin can lose its firmness, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. By promoting collagen synthesis, silica helps maintain youthful, firm skin. Beyond this, silica supports natural hydration by helping the skin retain moisture for longer periods, preventing dryness and maintaining a healthy, balanced complexion. It also acts as a gentle exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother, brighter skin. Additionally, silica’s anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate the symptoms of acne, psoriasis, and eczema, making it a versatile and valuable ingredient in skincare. With its ability to absorb excess oil, silica is especially effective in products for oily or combination skin, keeping shine under control while improving overall skin texture and health.
Very rarely does a clay have high amounts of iron. However, NZ Glacial Clay has extremely high amounts of iron. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a key role in the body’s overall health, and when used in skincare products, it offers several notable benefits. Iron helps improve the skin's circulation by boosting oxygen flow to the skin cells, which in turn supports a radiant and healthy complexion. It is particularly effective in promoting the production of red blood cells, which helps deliver nutrients to the skin, giving it a natural glow. Additionally, iron has antioxidant properties that can protect the skin from free radicals, preventing premature aging and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its anti-inflammatory effects can also calm irritated skin, making it beneficial for conditions like acne and rosacea. By enhancing blood circulation and providing vital nourishment, iron helps rejuvenate and revitalize the skin, leaving it looking vibrant and nourished.
Calcium is a vital mineral that plays an important role in maintaining the health and structure of the skin. In skincare products, calcium helps to strengthen the skin's barrier function, which protects it from environmental stressors, pollutants, UV and moisture loss. It promotes the regeneration of skin cells, supporting the skin's natural healing process and encouraging a smoother, more even complexion. Calcium also aids in regulating the production of sebum, which helps to balance oily or dry skin types. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties help calm irritated skin, making it useful for conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. By improving skin elasticity and hydration, calcium contributes to a healthier, more resilient skin appearance, leaving it feeling nourished, balanced, and revitalized.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin by supporting its natural processes. In skincare products, magnesium helps to regulate moisture balance, improving hydration and preventing dryness. It also has calming and anti-inflammatory properties, making it especially beneficial for sensitive or irritated skin, as it can help reduce redness and soothe conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. Magnesium supports the production of collagen and elastin, which helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, its antioxidant properties help protect the skin from free radical damage, preventing premature aging and promoting a youthful, radiant complexion. By nourishing the skin and supporting its natural functions, magnesium contributes to a healthier, more balanced appearance.
Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in maintaining the skin's hydration and overall health. In skincare products, potassium helps to regulate the skin’s moisture levels by ensuring proper water retention in the cells, preventing dehydration and promoting a plump, smooth complexion. It also supports the skin's natural barrier function, which helps protect it from environmental stressors and pollutants. Potassium’s anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for calming irritated skin, reducing redness, and alleviating conditions like acne and eczema. Additionally, by promoting healthy circulation, potassium aids in the delivery of essential nutrients to the skin, supporting cell regeneration and leaving the skin looking vibrant and rejuvenated. Overall, potassium helps to balance the skin’s moisture, soothe inflammation, and enhance its natural radiance.
All clays of the world contain heavy metals. Our clay contains very low trace amounts of heavy metals, ensuring it is safe for all applications. We place a strong emphasis on quality and safety by rigorously testing every batch and this thorough testing guarantees that it meets or exceeds all relevant global safety standards
Heavy metals are a group of dense, toxic elements, including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum, that can accumulate in the body over time. These metals can be found in many everyday products, including certain skincare formulations, often as a result of contamination during manufacturing or from ingredients sourced from polluted environments. In skincare, heavy metals may be present in products like makeup, lotions, and masks, where they are sometimes used for their color, texture, or preservative properties. When absorbed into the skin, heavy metals can cause a range of harmful effects, including skin irritation, inflammation, and disruption of the skin's natural barrier. Long-term exposure may contribute to more severe issues, such as accelerated aging, damage to collagen production, and even the potential for heavy metal toxicity, which can affect the overall health of the skin. As a result, it’s important to be cautious about the ingredients in skincare products and look for those that are free from heavy metal contamination to ensure skin safety and health.
Where is our clay sourced from?
Our Glacial Clay is sourced from the pristine South Island of New Zealand. This unique deposit was formed over three million years ago through the combination of volcanic ash from the Banks Peninsula being deposited into a freshwater glacial lake at the foothills of the Southern Alps.
The clay is a mineral rich green Nontronite healing clay which is a subclass of the smectite clay group and is very rare only being found on a handful of locations around the world. This particular clay deposit is extremely remote allowing it to remain pure, consistent and unaltered. Nothing is added (organic and chemical free) in the extraction and processing of the resource. Nontronite clay is rich in organic and inorganic elements which is why it is commonly used in skin care products to detoxify, absorb excess oils, and promote a healthy complexion.
The overall clay resource consists of several millions of tonnes and averages about 60 metres deep. Other clay deposits around the world are typically between 1m to 3m thick, with the top third usually contaminated with sand which makes it inconsistent and difficult to ensure purity.
At New Zealand Glacial Clay we recognise that sustainable business practices are fundamental to our future. We are respectful in the knowledge that our deposit of precious Nontronite clay is a finite reserve and we endeavor to process it in such a way that maximises the potential of the resource whilst maintaining care for the environment and ensuring high sustainability standards and policies.
What is Nontronite and why is it special?
Our Nontronite clay is internationally unique green healing clay and there is no commercially prepared mineral that is comparable. This is a premium cosmetic product ingredient.
Five of the minerals unique selling points are:
100% natural product
Mineralogy
Purity
Very high CEC
pH neutral
Our clay resource is the only commercially available Nontronite in the world. As far as we have been able to research it is the only identifiable freshwater glacial clay so it’s mineralogy, neutral pH, properties and characteristics are very unique and rare.
The clay is a 100% natural product and free from chemical processing. From being extracted from the ground to the finished dried powder form, it is processed by drying and milled down to 45 microns. Due to the size of the resource the clay purity sits at 91% which is exceptionally high, so its consistency is well proven.
Nontronite clay has a naturally high negative charge, known as Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), which attracts and binds to positive charges in chemicals and toxins on the skin, effectively removing them. With a CEC of 81Meq/100g, Nontronite's detoxifying power surpasses other clays like Montmorillonite, Illite, and Kaolin, making it highly effective in cosmetic applications. This high CEC allows for greater detoxification with less product, which is why our Nontronite based clay face mask is both potent and gentle, promoting radiant, glowing skin. Combined with natural NZ plant extracts and essential oils, our mask provides a chemical-free solution for healthy, purified skin.
History of clay
Clay has a rich history that spans thousands of years, with evidence suggesting its use as far back as prehistoric times. Early humans instinctively recognised the healing properties of clay, utilising it to treat a wide range of ailments, from food poisoning and infections to aches and pains. The therapeutic use of clay was likely inspired by the behaviour of animals, many of which instinctively seek out minerals for their own health. Early humans mimicked these behaviours, using ochres, mud, and clay mixed with water to soothe irritations, cleanse the skin, and even promote healing for wounds. These ancient practices were not only about survival but also linked to early beauty rituals, with clay becoming an essential part of spa treatments and skin care.
Minerals, the building blocks of life, play a vital role in the body’s many processes, from the digestion of nutrients to hormone production. Clay is a natural source of these essential minerals, and its uses for both internal and external health benefits have endured across cultures and centuries. The Greeks were among the first to document its therapeutic use, with Aristotle noting that humans deliberately consumed clay for its healing properties. Marco Polo, centuries later, described how Muslim pilgrims in the Middle East used "pink earth" to cure fevers, a practice still observed in some communities today. Indigenous groups in the Americas, Africa, and Australia have long used clay for medicinal and preventive purposes, sometimes consuming it to guard against toxins or using it in healing ceremonies. Even today, in many parts of the world, clay remains a trusted natural remedy for skin care and overall wellness, proving that its healing power transcends time and culture.
Benefits of our clay
Our clay is packed with antioxidants that combat free radical damage, which can be caused by natural body processes, environmental factors like pollution and UV exposure, and the natural aging process. Nontronite clay is an excellent exfoliator, helping to remove dead skin cells, prevent blockages, and create a smoother, more even skin tone. It is also a powerful detoxifier, drawing out impurities such as excess sebum, which can contribute to acne and blackheads. The minerals in green clay promote faster healing of blemishes without leaving scars and help firm the skin by stimulating circulation, which supports lymphatic drainage and reduces puffiness, especially under the eyes. Regular use improves skin texture, promotes collagen production, and enhances skin elasticity, leaving it more youthful and radiant.
Nontronite clay’s naturally negative electrical charge allows it to attract and bind to positively charged toxins in the skin, aiding in the removal of acne-causing bacteria, reducing fine lines, and diminishing the appearance of capillaries. Its nano-sized particles penetrate deeply into the skin to cleanse pores, remove excess oil, and deliver rejuvenating minerals below the dermis. Rich in silica and other minerals, Nontronite is suitable for all skin types and can reduce inflammation, boost collagen production, and improve moisture retention for a brighter, clearer complexion.
In addition to its topical benefits, Nontronite clay, when used in baths, can help detoxify the body, improve oxygen levels in cells, and accelerate recovery from illness or physical activity. When used in face masks, Nontronite helps purify, balance, and rejuvenate the skin, making it an effective treatment for acne, rosacea, and signs of aging, while also promoting cell renewal and collagen production. Its high iron content further aids in improving complexion and reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Regular facial cleansing is an important factor in helping the skin maintain a proper pH level enabling sufficient water and product retention for proper skin hydration. If we don’t use the right cleanser the rest of the products we apply may not work to the best of their ability, compromising product absorption and penetration to the deeper dermal layers of the skin.
A lot of cleansers found in supermarkets and pharmacies contain harsh chemical ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulphate. The highest risk of using products with SLS and SLES for example is irritation. This irritation can cause problems with your eyes, skin, mouth, and even your lungs. For people with sensitive skin, sulphates may also clog pores and cause acne. This is just one ingredient of many that can be causing your body more harm than good.
