What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBentonite
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Montmorillonite
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Illite
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChromium Oxide Greens
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Betaine, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Illite, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Chromium Oxide Greens, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract 11%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Diglycerin
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder 0.6%
Calamine
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 0.1%
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Extract 0.1%
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Glucose
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAbies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningManicouagan Clay
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentProtease
Exfoliating
Water, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract 11%, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Diglycerin, Zea Mays Starch, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder 0.6%, Calamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 0.1%, Phaseolus Radiatus Extract 0.1%, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Polyisobutene, Glucose, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Abies Sibirica Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Manicouagan Clay, Illite, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Montmorillonite, Protease
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
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 BentoniteBetaine 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 BetaineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneIllite is an exfoliant.
Kaolin 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 KaolinMontmorillonite is a clay (aluminomagnesium silicate) with strong absorption properties. It has a similar pH to skin.
This clay is named after Montmorillon in France.
Learn about other types of clay, such as Kaolin, Bentonite, or Fuller's Earth.
Learn more about MontmorilloniteWater. 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
