NOW Solutions European Clay Powder (Item # N8150): Pure Montmorillonite Facial Cleanser
NOW® Solutions European Clay Powder is a 100% pure natural mineral silicate powder designed to pull dirt, oil, and impurities directly out of your facial pores. Sourced from natural montmorillonite deposits, this fine mineral powder helps balance oily skin, clear clogged pores, and smooth your natural skin tone. Because it is a completely dry, unmixed powder, you get pure active earth minerals without the chemical preservatives, artificial perfumes, and water fillers found in common drugstore skincare products.
Quick Specs Snapshot
✓ Active Form & Potency: 100% pure Montmorillonite mineral silicate powder with zero added fillers, scents, or synthetic chemicals (6 oz / 170 g jar).
✓ Primary Target: Clogged facial pores, excess surface sebum (oil), and uneven skin texture across normal, combination, and oily skin types.
✓ Supply & Value Math: Delivers 20 to 30 complete facial masks per jar, costing under 35 cents per treatment compared to $15 single-use sheet masks or expensive spa facials.
✓ Formulation Purity: Cruelty-free (never tested on animals), vegan, non-GMO, and packaged in an eco-friendly jar made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin.
Why Pure Powder Outperforms Pre-Mixed Drugstore Cleansers
Most pre-mixed clay masks and liquid facial cleansers sold at big box stores are made of up to 80% plain water. Because wet formulas quickly grow bacteria and mold, manufacturers must pack them with chemical preservatives, parabens, emulsifiers, and artificial fragrances that can trigger breakouts and irritate sensitive facial tissue. Choosing 100% pure dry montmorillonite powder gives you full mineral strength, allowing you to mix a fresh, active mask in seconds using clean water, apple cider vinegar, or nourishing facial oils.
Ideal For Shoppers Who:
✓ Struggle with shiny skin, greasy patches, or congested pores across the forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone).
✓ Want a natural way to draw out blackheads and blemish-causing dirt without harsh chemical peels or scratchy plastic scrubs.
✓ Enjoy clean, customizable DIY skincare where you decide exactly what touches your face.
Consider Another Option If:
✗ You have severely flaking, cracked, or parched skin (a deeply moisturizing botanical oil, such as NOW Apricot Kernel Oil or Jojoba Oil, is a gentler choice).
✗ You want an instant, pre-mixed squeeze tube and prefer not to spend two minutes stirring powder in a small dish.
✗ You have open cuts, severe sunburn, or broken facial skin that should rest without active mineral masks.
Every purchase is backed by VitaNet®, LLC's unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—even on opened containers, with return shipping covered—so you can test this clarifying mineral treatment completely risk-free.
How Montmorillonite Mineral Silicate Cleanses Skin Under the Hood
Montmorillonite is a natural mineral silicate belonging to the smectite clay family. Its scientific chemical formula is (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2·nH2O. Under a high-powered microscope, this mineral looks like stacks of microscopic sheets layered like the pages of a book. It cleans your skin through two distinct physical actions:
1. The Magnetic Pull (Adsorption)
Montmorillonite clay sheets carry a natural negative electrical charge. Most facial grime, dead skin cells, air pollution particles, and old oils carry a positive electrical charge. Just like opposite ends of two magnets snap together, the negatively charged clay binds tightly to positively charged impurities sitting on the surface of your skin and around pore openings [1].
2. The Sponge Action (Absorption)
When you add liquid to montmorillonite powder, water slips between the mineral sheets, causing the clay lattice to expand. As this damp paste rests on your face, it acts like a dense biological sponge, pulling excess liquid oils, stale sebum, and dissolved toxins deep from inside your pores into the spaces between its sheets [2].
3. Mineral Exchange & Micro-Circulation
While trapping dirt, the clay deposits beneficial trace elements like silica (SiO2), calcium, and magnesium onto the top layer of skin [3]. As the mask slowly dries, it gently contracts against your skin. This light squeezing motion wakes up tiny capillaries right below the surface, encouraging healthy blood flow that brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.
Authoritative Scientific References:
[1] Williams, L. B., & Haydel, S. E. (2010). Evaluation of the medicinal use of clay minerals as antibacterial agents. International Geology Review, 52(7-8), 745–770. DOI: 10.1080/00206811003679708.
[2] Carretero, M. I. (2002). Clay minerals and their beneficial effects on human health. Applied Clay Science, 21(3-4), 155–163. DOI: 10.1016/S0169-1317(01)00085-0.
[3] Moosavi, M. (2017). Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 46(9), 1176–1183. PMCID: PMC5632318.
How to Mix, Apply, and Optimize Your Clay Mask
Step-by-Step Custom Mixing Protocol
Step 1: Pick the Right Bowl and Spoon. Always mix your clay in a small glass, ceramic, or wooden bowl using a wooden or plastic spoon. Never use metal bowls or metal utensils. Metal tools can react with the natural electrical charge of the clay minerals and weaken its drawing strength.
Step 2: Choose Your Custom Recipe.
For Oily, Congested, or Blemish-Prone Skin: Mix 1 level tablespoon of European Clay Powder with 1 tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar or cold filtered water until smooth and creamy. Apple cider vinegar balances skin pH and helps melt stubborn pore blockages.
For Normal or Combination Skin: Mix 1 tablespoon of powder with 1 tablespoon of pure purified water or rose water.
For Dry or Sensitive Skin: Mix 1 tablespoon of powder with 1 tablespoon of water, and blend in 2 to 3 drops of NOW Solutions Jojoba Oil or Apricot Kernel Oil to add soothing moisture while the clay cleanses.
Step 3: Smooth It Evenly. Wash your face with warm water to remove surface dust. Using your fingers or a clean cosmetic brush, spread an even layer across your face and neck, steering clear of your eyes and lips.
Step 4: The Golden Timing Rule (Never Let It Turn to Dust). Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes for oily skin, or 10 to 15 minutes for dry/sensitive skin. Rinse the mask off while it is still slightly sticky and damp. Never let a clay mask dry until it cracks like dry desert mud; when clay turns chalky-white, it pulls necessary moisture out of your skin cells.
Step 5: Rinse and Moisturize. Rinse gently with warm water and a soft washcloth. Pat dry with a clean towel and apply your favorite light moisturizer or face oil.
Timeline of Clear Skin Expectations
Day 1 (After 1st Mask): Immediate removal of slick surface oils. Pores look tighter and cleaner, and skin feels soft and matte.
Weeks 2–4: Noticeable reduction in blackheads around the nose and chin. Skin oil production begins to balance out across the day.
Months 2–3+: Long-term pore clarity, smoother overall texture, and fewer stubborn breakout flare-ups when used 1 to 2 times weekly.
Texture, Aroma, Clean Excipients, and Storage
Sensory Feel & Application Reality
NOW Solutions European Clay Powder is micro-milled into an ultra-fine, silky flour-like texture. When mixed with liquid, it turns into a smooth, velvety paste that spreads effortlessly over facial contours. Unlike cheap drugstore scrubs made with crushed walnut shells or sharp plastic beads, this fine mineral clay contains zero abrasive edges, so it will not scratch or damage delicate skin tissue.
Natural Aroma & Color Integrity
This product has no added fragrance. It carries a subtle, clean, natural earthy mineral scent that rinses completely away with water. The color ranges naturally from a soft light grayish-tan to a pale olive-green. Because it is harvested directly from natural earth deposits, subtle color differences occur between batches. This variation proves that the product is 100% natural and free of chemical bleaching agents, artificial pigments, or synthetic color dyes.
Other Ingredients Demystified
The ingredient list contains exactly one item: Montmorillonite (a natural mineral silicate). There are zero chemical emulsifiers, zero parabens, zero phthalates, zero talc powders, and zero synthetic preservatives. What you see on the front label is the only thing inside the jar.
Proper Jar Storage
Keep the jar tightly capped and store it in a cool, dry cabinet away from steam and standing water. Because dry montmorillonite loves to absorb moisture from the air, keeping the lid tightly twisted ensures the powder remains dry, clump-free, and ready to mix.
Product Specifications, Clean Lab Standards, and Retailer Trust
Product Detail
Verified Specification
Product Name
NOW® Solutions European Clay Powder
Product SKU / Item Number
Item # N8150 / 8150 (UPC 733739081506)
Net Container Weight
6 oz. (170 g) pure dry powder
Active Ingredients
Montmorillonite (a natural mineral silicate)
Other Added Ingredients
None (100% pure single-ingredient formula)
Skin Type Compatibility
Normal, combination, oily, and blemish-prone skin
Cruelty-Free Status
Not tested on animals
Packaging Type
Bottle manufactured from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin
NOW Brand In-House Lab Testing: Solving the Heavy Metal Contaminant Problem
Because all facial clays are mined directly from natural geological deposits in the earth, they can easily pick up environmental contaminants from surrounding soil and groundwater. Budget brands and big box store products often use cheap, unrefined bulk clays that are loaded with dangerous heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Putting contaminated clay on your skin exposes your pores directly to these toxins.
How NOW Foods Guarantees Purity:
✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Screening: In its world-class, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratories, NOW uses Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze every batch. This advanced instrument detects toxic heavy metals—including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury—down to single parts per billion (ppb), beating strict California Proposition 65 and USP safety standards.
✓ Over 31,000 Quality Tests Every Month: NOW's team of on-site analytical chemists runs over 31,000 laboratory tests every month across raw materials and finished goods, ensuring that no industrial contaminants ever make it into your jar.
✓ Complete Microbiological Pathogen Clearance: Every lot is screened for biological safety, verifying the total absence of harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, molds, and yeasts.
Why Shop with VitaNet®, LLC?
Where you buy your personal care products matters. Mass online marketplaces are filled with unvetted third-party sellers whose inventory sits for months in sweltering, uncontrolled warehouses.
VitaNet®, LLC is an independent, family-owned supplement and natural wellness company founded in 1995. With over 31 years of continuous hands-on experience, we inspect and warehouse all products inside our climate-controlled retail center in Hartville, Ohio. We ship fresh, authentic NOW Foods products directly to your doorstep.
✓ Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, VitaNet refunds 100% of your money and covers the return shipping costs—even on opened containers.
✓ Direct Authorized Inventory: We order directly through authorized manufacturer channels, guaranteeing authentic formulas with fresh batch dates.
✓ Real Customer Support: Talk directly to our knowledgeable staff by calling (330) 877-8786 or toll-free at 1-800-877-8702.
*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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Montmorillonite European Clay and Bentonite Clay?
Both clays belong to the smectite family, but Montmorillonite European Clay is known for its silky-smooth, micro-fine texture. While traditional sodium bentonite clays can swell aggressively and cause extreme tightness or dryness on delicate skin, European montmorillonite provides a balanced, gentle drawing action. It lifts excess surface oil and unclogs pores without stripping away the natural protective moisture barrier, making it suitable for normal, combination, and mildly oily skin types.
Why should I avoid using a metal spoon or metal bowl to mix this clay?
Montmorillonite clay works through a natural bio-electrical charge called cation exchange. The clay sheets carry a negative charge that binds to positively charged oils and dirt. When wet clay comes into contact with reactive metals like aluminum, iron, or lower-grade stainless steel, the metal ions can interact with the clay and weaken its magnetic drawing power. To keep the clay fully active, always mix it in a glass, ceramic, or wooden bowl using a plastic or wooden spoon.
Can I use this European Clay Powder if I have dry or sensitive skin?
Yes, you can easily adapt the mask recipe for drier or sensitive skin. Simply mix 1 level tablespoon of clay powder with 1 tablespoon of purified water and add 2 to 3 drops of a soothing plant oil, such as NOW Solutions Jojoba Oil or Apricot Kernel Oil. The oil cushions your skin barrier while the clay gently cleanses. Be sure to rinse the mask off after 10 minutes while it is still slightly damp rather than letting it dry completely.
Why does my skin look slightly pink or flushed right after washing off the mask?
A mild, temporary pink flush is completely normal and shows that the mask did its job. As the clay dries and tightens against your face, it pulls blood and oxygen directly toward your skin surface through local micro-circulation. This brings fresh nutrients to your skin cells and helps flush out cellular waste. The slight pink tone typically disappears within 20 to 30 minutes, leaving your skin clear, soft, and refreshed.
How does NOW European Clay Powder compare to cheap drugstore clay masks?
Common drugstore clay masks are mostly tap water blended with chemical emulsifiers, parabens, and synthetic perfumes that can cause breakouts. Furthermore, many discount brands buy unrefined bulk clay that is never checked for heavy metals. NOW Solutions tests every single batch in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs using ICP-MS technology to confirm it is clean of lead, arsenic, and mercury down to parts-per-billion levels. With NOW and VitaNet, you get 100% pure, lab-verified mineral clay backed by an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee.
