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Colloidal Minerals:
Saving the Day One Face Mask at a Time

Jonna Reamer Geochemistry Fall 2010

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AbstractColloidal minerals represent a unique geochemical situation, the properties of which may be taken advantage of in several cases. This paper will discuss the various uses humans have for those minerals such as kaolinite, montmorillonite, and talc. While many uses are dermatological in nature, like makeup, which also treats acne, and spa treatments of mud wraps or baths, colloidal minerals are also used in medications to affect the rate of absorption by the body. IntroductionColloidal minerals are clay minerals which have a surface charge allowing them a very unique set of properties. Colloidal minerals such as Kaolinite and Montmorillonite are used in cosmetics, spa treatments, multivitamins and a plethora of medications. Using colloidal minerals in medicine has led to a new field, called medical geology (Figueiredo Gomes and Pereira Silva, 2007). The key to these minerals is the charged surface. This allows the mineral to adsorb ions onto its surface (Sposito, et.al., 1999). Not only do these minerals treat existing illnesses, but are applied to the prevention of them. In many cases, clay is used to prevent groundwater pollution. Since the minerals adsorb ions, dangerous elements from landfills are halted on their way to the water table (Figueiredo Gomes and Pereira Silva, 2007). This includes both organic pollutants and metal ions. Ions interacting with the charged surface are shown in figure 1.

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Figure 1: Depiction of ions interacting with the charged surface (Sposito, et.al., 1999). Colloidal minerals have a variety of unique properties which render them useful in these applications. Firstly, the structural charge of each mineral is permanent and not dependent upon the conditions in which the clay mineral is found. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) demonstrates the charge, and is shown for various minerals in figure 2. This charge can be calculated from the chemical formula for the mineral. The ability of certain minerals, such as those from the smectite group, to expand to volumes many times beyond their original capacity is also highly valuable in certain applications (Sposito, et.al., 1999). Clay minerals are believed to have virtually no toxicity as well as excellent biocompatibility (Choy, et.al., 2007). When all of these properties are combined, the opportunity for use within medicinal and cosmetic applications becomes a real possibility.

Figure 2: Cation exchange capacity for various minerals (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). Cosmetic ProductsWhen considering cosmetic products, such as makeup, lotions, nail polishes, etc., it is important to consider the consistency of each mixture. In many cases, this is manipulated through the use of colloidal minerals. The viscosity of each substance controls how it remains on the body, and colloidal minerals are selected to manipulate this aspect of each substance

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(Viseras, et.al., 2007). Kaolinite, talc and semectite group minerals are all used as dermatological protectors as they have the ability to absorb the oils produced by skin throughout the day (Carretero, 2002). These protectors generally take the form of powders, creams, or ointments. The protectors form a film which prevents outside agents from reaching the skin while absorbing secretions from the skin, leading to an environment detrimental to bacteria (Carretero, 2002). This ability to absorb facial secretions makes colloidal minerals highly desirable in the cosmetic industry, in the form of make-up and spa treatments. Colloidal minerals are opaque, and can therefore be used to control the pigments in cosmetics (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). When applied correctly, they opaquely cover skin providing for an even tone and diminished shine (Carretero, 2002). When developing cosmetic properties, the thickness of the solution has a large affect on the effectiveness of the product. Colloidal minerals demonstrate thixotropic properties, and this property can control the thickness of a solution for application (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). While the protective aspects of clay minerals are mainly used in adsorption of oily skin secretions, clay minerals also provide UV protection, and are therefore often used in sunscreen (Viseras, et.al., 2007). The barrier formed by these minerals is essential to their protection of the skin, while maintaining proper hydration. Kaolinite and talc are mainly used in sunscreen and absorb some UV while scattering the rest to ensure protection of the skin (Viseras, et.al., 2007). A list of clays and their uses in various health care products can be found in figure 3.
Pharmaceutical name Magnesium aluminum silicate (USA) or aluminium magnesium silicate (Europe) Functions Rheological additive Applications Ointments

Gelling agent, stability Rheological additive

Topical, Pigment suspensions Toothpastes

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Pharmaceutical name

Functions Emulsion stability additive Suspension additive

Applications Lotions Pastes Topical suspensions Lotions Liquid Make-up Lotions, shampoos, liquid make-up Creams, pastes, etc.

Bentonite and purified bentonite

Thickener and suspending Emulsion stability additive Thickener, suspending, thixotropy

Hectorite Talc Kaolin (USA) or kaolin heavy (Europe) Activated attapulgite Colloidal activated attapulgite Magnesium trisilicate Steralkonium bentonite

Thickener, suspending, thixotropy Filler, adsorbent, protection agent, etc.

Thickener, suspending, thixotropy, emulsifying

Topical suspensions, pastes, creams, etc.

Gelling in non-polar organic solvents

Anti-perspirants, lotions, suntan products, nail lacquers, lip products

Quaternary-18 bentonite Quaternary-18 benzalkonium bentonite Steralkonium hectorite Quaternium-18 hectorite Disteardimonium hectorite Dihydrogenated tallow benzylmonium hectorite Tromethamite smectite Synthetic hectorite Viscosity, thixotropy, short texture Toothpaste

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Pharmaceutical name

Functions Thixotropy Viscosity, thixotropy Suspension

Applications Lotions Shampoos Liquid make-up

Figure 3: clay minerals used in various healthcare products and their application. Please not bentonite and hectorite are produced from montmorillonite. Adapted from (Viseras, et.al., 2007).

Spa TreatmentsIt has been established that applying mud to skin emerged within ancient cultures. There is evidence of mud being applied to cure rashes in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece (Figueiredo Gomes and Pereira Silva, 2007). The first thing that comes to mind with minerals in spa treatments today is mud baths, however, clay minerals may be used for a variety of other uses such as geotherapy, peleotherapy and paramuds (Carretero, 2002). Minerals are generally selected for each type of mud bath by grain size and cooling properties. While the process for choosing exactly which clay minerals to apply for which illness has become more sophisticated, humans are still doing the same thing as ancient civilizations. Geotherapy refers to mixing colloidal minerals with water and sea salts or lake water, which is then applied to the skin in a thick layer (Carretero, 2002). This process is used to treat a variety of dermatological illnesses, such as acne, boils, psoriasis etc., and inflammations of almost any cause. Geotherapy includes cataplasms which is the same process, but covering only a small area of the body in an attempt to target a specific problem area (Carretero, 2002). Peleotherapy shares the same ingredients as geotherapy, with the addition of some materials produced by biological action (Carretero, 2002). A notable difference is the preparation of the clay minerals using salt water to decrease the grain size of the mineral and increase plasticity and adsorption (Carretero, 2002). In this case the mixture is specifically heated to 40C,

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and one layer applied over another in 20 minute intervals (Carretero, 2002). The actual application of the mixture is the same as geotherapy, with the temperature and heat-conserving layering of the mixture separating the two. Paramuds simply consists of a mixture of paraffin and clay minerals. Paraffin refers in general to alkanes. In this case however, paraffin is more specifically regarded as a mixture of heavy alkanes in the form of an oil (Carretero, 2002). The paramuds follow the same hot temperature application as peleotherapy does. Unusually, it is noted that this mixture is usually recycled from one patient to the next while the others are not (Carretero, 2002). Paramuds are well known for their moisturizing effect on human skin, and are therefore a popular option. Pharmaceutical ApplicationsWhile it may seem strange at first to be consuming clay minerals, they serve a variety of purposes when ingested, and are often included in the formulas for many medications to aid in dispersal. Most commonly used are kaolinite , talc, smectite group minerals, and palygorskite (Carretero, 2002). The chemical inertness of these minerals makes them safest for human consumption. Palygorskite and kaolinite are used as gastrointestinal protectors. These minerals demonstrate a very high capacity for sorption and remain on the mucous within the intestine (Carretero, 2002). From here, these minerals using their colloidal properties can absorb many toxins. They have even been found to absorb or decompose certain bacteria and viruses (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). However, this treatment is usually limited to short-term application. The same capacity for absorption means they can eliminate necessary enzymes or nutrients from the intestine, creating new illnesses. Continuing with detoxifying processes, the same minerals are known to purify blood (Choy, et.al., 2007).

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With the knowledge that colloidal minerals contain different ions in the interlayer spaces, it is no surprise that they would then be used in laxatives. In this case, the sodium ions in the interlayer of a mineral are used to manipulate osmotic pressure within the bowel, triggering defecation (Carretero, 2002). This being said, the water manipulating properties can also be used for the opposite reaction, anti-diarrheal. When doctors prescribe medication, more and more frequently they are running into conflicts with mineral supplements that patients are taking. Colloidal minerals affect the way many different drugs react within the body, and can prevent a medicine from treating an ailment. Certain cardiovascular drugs are affected by montmorillonite as well as diazepam (valium) is destabilized (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). Inflammatory medications are also incompatible with colloidal minerals. Many medications today are manipulated to be released at a certain rate. Some enter the system all at once, while others remain on a slow release schedule to aid in continuation of the effect of the medication. This process is affected by excipients, consisting of palygorskite, kaolinite, talc and smectite group minerals (Carretero, 2002). The minerals used for each drug must be carefully considered, due to interactions between medication and mineral; yet when considered properly can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the medication. Most commonly, colloidal excipients are used with antibiotics, such as ampicillan (Carretero and Pozo, 2009). More specifically, hydrophobic drugs have notoriously poor wetting which can be corrected by use of bentonite or MAS, both gels created with colloidal minerals (Viseras, et.al., 2007). Mineral SupplementsWhile many medications benefit from the addition of colloidal minerals to their formula, there is some controversy over the use of colloidal minerals by themselves as a supplement.

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Many companies are advertising colloidal minerals as cure alls in the form of capsules, oral sprays or elixirs (Fontenot, 1997). One of their main selling points is that the soil humans grow food in is so depleted that people are not receiving proper amounts of these minerals, which can be corrected by consumption of their products. Also, the colloidal properties are said to attract heavy metals and toxins, cleansing the body naturally (Fontenot, 1997). The problem lies in the fact that the proper amounts of each mineral is not currently known, making it potentially dangerous to consume these supplements. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999-2000, 52% of adults in the United States are taking multi-mineral/multi-vitamin products (Radimer, et.al., 2004). This is an alarming percentage of the population using an unregulated supplement that has no established dosage. ConclusionThough certain uses of colloidal minerals are still quite controversial, such as the vitamin and supplemental use, these minerals have proven to be extremely effective in medications and dermatological applications. The average consumer is probably not aware of their own use of these minerals in their medications, makeup and spa treatments, but in fact these uses have been in place in some cases for thousands of years. Colloidal minerals represent both the past and the future of geological medicine, and perhaps will provide further medicinal uses, currently unfathomable.

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References CitedCarretero, M. I., 2002, Clay Minerals and their Beneficial Effects Upon Human Health. A Review, Applied Clay Science, vol. 21, p. 155-163.

Carretero, M.I., Pozo, M., 2009, Clay and Non-clay Minerals in the Pharmaceutical Industry Part I. Excipients and Medical Applications, Applied Clay Science, vol. 46, p. 73-80.

Choy, J.H., Choi, S.J., Oh, J.M., Park, T., 2007, Clay Minerals and Layered Double Hydroxides for Novel Biological Application, Applied Clay Science, vol. 36, p. 122-132.

Figueiredo Gomes, C.S., Pereira Silva, J.B., 2007, Minerals and Clay Minerals in Medical Geology, Applied Clay Science, vol. 36, p. 4-21.

Fontenot, B., 1997, Hard facts on colloidal minerals, Nutrition Forum , vol. 15, p. 33-34.

Radimer, K., Bindewald, B., Hughes, J., Ervin, B., Swanson, C., Picciano, M.F., 2004, Dietary Supplement Use by US Adults: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000, American Journal of epidemiology, vol. 160, p. 339-349

Sposito, G., Skipper, N., Sutton, R., Park, S.H., Soper, A., Greathouse, J., 1999, Surface Geochemistry of the Clay Minerals, Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 96, p. 3358-3364.

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Viseras, C., Aguzzi, C., Cerezo, P., Lopez-Galindo, A., 2007, Uses of Clay Minerals in Semisolid Health Care and Therapeutic Products, Applied Clay Science, vol. 36, p. 37-50.