What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Kaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBentonite
AbsorbentAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentPropanediol
SolventSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingKaolin, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Bentonite, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77492, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGluconic Acid
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientBetula Alba Juice
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPullulan
Polyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingEriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativeIron Oxides
Citral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Kaolin, Gluconolactone, Gluconic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Propanediol, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Betula Alba Juice, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Pullulan, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Biotin, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract, Chlorphenesin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Iron Oxides, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.
As a clay, bentonite is often used to absorb excess oil and provide exfoliation. It has also been shown to have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show bentonite was effective at calming dermatitis from poison ivy and in diaper dermatitis of infants. Bentonite has also been shown to act as a barrier against toxic compounds on your skin.
Sunscreens containing bentonite display higher water resistance and stay on the skin for much longer. The sunscreens containing bentonite also show higher potency and UV light absorbtion.
Bentonite is naturally created from volcanic ash and several natural weathering/hydrothermal processes.
A common usage of bentonite is removing excess protein from white wines. Bentonite contains a property of being able to absorb large amounts of protein from aqueous solutions.
Phyllosilicate clay has a structure formed by sheets.
Learn more about BentoniteCitrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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 KaolinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum