What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialTrisodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Kaolin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Trisodium EDTA, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingBentonite
AbsorbentSulfur 3.3%
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Quartz
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Bentonite, Sulfur 3.3%, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glutamic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Quartz, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
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 BentoniteWe don't have a description for Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate yet.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. 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