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
AbsorbentXanthan 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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Palm Acid
Kaolin
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPerlite
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Erythritol
Humectant
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Illite
Abrasive
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Totarol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Xylitol, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Bentonite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycol Distearate, Stearic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Perlite, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceteareth-20, Erythritol, Montmorillonite, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Illite, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Allantoin, Totarol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77289, CI 77492
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 BentoniteButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Illite 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 MontmorilloniteSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
