Evaluation and characterization of Melo Bentonite clay for cosmetic applications

Clays are used in cosmetology with different applications, which are conditioned to the chemical and mineralogical composition and physical-chemical characteristics of these materials. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the potential application of Melo Bentonite (BEM), clay from Uruguay through different tests. Initially, it was performed the characterization of BEM by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spec-troscopy (XRF), thermal analysis (TGA/DTG), particle size distribution and surface area. The microbial content of natural Melo Bentonite clay was also verified. Two calamine suspensions were formulated with bentonite clay, one containing BEM and the other containing bentonite clay (BE), both at concentration of 5% w/w in glycerin. Bentonite clay was used in accordance to standard. The suspensions were characterized through tests of sedimentation rate, viscosity and pH determination. The physical-chemical characterization of BEM indicated compatible characteristics with those of clay; it was observed only smectite and quartz reflections as crystalline phases and in terms of chemical composition the major presence of silicon, aluminum and magnesium was verified. The microbiological evaluation showed that microbial content of Melo Bentonite presents acceptable limits, according to the Brazilian legislation for cosmetic products. BE was tested by a suspending agent. The sedimentation amount obtained for the suspention that was prepared with BEM was (0.73 mL/min) and with BE (0.63 mL/min). BEM is a better agent suspensor than BE. The viscosity presented by the sample containing BEM was lower than that containing BE; both of them showed non-Newtonian behavior and pseudoplastic flow. The pH of the sample containing BEM was close to neutral (7.72 +/- 0.005), while the pH of the sample containing BE was 8.17 +/- 0.026. The results showed a possible application of BEM in cosmetic products.