What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Bentonite
Absorbent
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Argilla
Abrasive
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Bitartrate
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBHT
Antioxidant
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Propanediol, Bentonite, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Argilla, Persea Gratissima Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Bitartrate, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, BHT
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Hectorite
AbsorbentStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateKaolin 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 KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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 Water
