What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycol
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBentonite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Powder
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
AbrasiveHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Powder, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Charcoal Powder, Disodium EDTA, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientBeta Vulgaris Root Powder 1.5%
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Powder
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPrunus Persica Seed Powder
AbrasivePolyacrylate-13
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Palmitic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder 1.5%, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder, Bentonite, Arachidyl Glucoside, Prunus Persica Seed Powder, Polyacrylate-13, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Myristic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Panthenol, Sucrose, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholBentonite 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 BentoniteCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateKaolin 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 KaolinPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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