What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingBentonite
AbsorbentBetaine
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCellulose
AbsorbentMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCalamine
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Illite
AbrasiveMontmorillonite
AbsorbentManicouagan Clay
AbsorbentCanadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHectorite
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Bentonite, Betaine, Alcohol Denat., Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Coco-Glucoside, Cellulose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calamine, Xanthan Gum, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Gluconolactone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Illite, Montmorillonite, Manicouagan Clay, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hectorite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cellulose
AbsorbentCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveCalamine
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylcellulose
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLauric Acid
CleansingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMannitol
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingWater, Silica, Propanediol, Kaolin, Glycerin, Diatomaceous Earth, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Betaine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Titanium Dioxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cellulose, Charcoal Powder, Calamine, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylcellulose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Lauric Acid, Zea Mays Starch, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mannitol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Salicylic Acid
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCalamine is a "pink powder" that is used to calm itchy or irritated skin. In official medical standards, calamine is basically almost all zinc oxide with a tiny bit of iron oxide added for the pink color.
Lab testing requires that it’s at least 98% zinc oxide, which just means it has to be very pure and mostly zinc oxide.
In skincare, calamine can help relieve itches, calm skin, and absorb excess moisture/oil. This is why you'll often see it used for oozing rashes. Calamine is approved as a skin protectant active at 1-25% in US OTC drug products.
A big part of calamine's soothing effect comes from zinc oxide's protective properties. Since calamine can absorb excess moisture/oil, it might be drying for already dry skin types.
A review of topical medicament allergies notes that contact dermatitis from calamine isn't typically reported, but added actives in a formulation are known sensitizers.
Learn more about CalamineCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneKaolin 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 KaolinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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