What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Honey
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Hull Powder
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran
Abrasive
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Honey Extract
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSodium Phytate
ChelatingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Water, Kaolin, Honey, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Honey Extract, Bentonite, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Menthyl Lactate
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Humifusa Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Akebia Quinata Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Seed Extract, Opuntia Humifusa Stem Extract, Akebia Quinata Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
You'll see this one rated 4 comedogenic all over the internet. That number isn't from a single study, and the actual research is more interesting.
The original rating comes from 1980s rabbit ear tests (which are a shaky basis for anything). But Ethylhexyl Palmitate is one of the few ingredients with real human data behind it. A 2021 controlled trial found this ingredient increased microcomedones by an average of 365% over four weeks.
Just know that test used the pure ingredient under an occlusive pad on back skin; most products use it at much lower levels alongside other ingredients and plenty of people use those with no issue.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with a comedogenic ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2-3, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with this ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Learn more about Stearic Acid
