What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mannitol, Sorbitan Stearate, Citric Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingKaolin
AbrasivePantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Carterii Gum Absolute
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPumpkin Fruit Extract Beta-Glucan
AbrasiveChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingRosa Rugosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSmilax China Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingGlycolic Acid
BufferingBentonite
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLecithin
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf, Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Kaolin, Pantothenic Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Boswellia Carterii Gum Absolute, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Lactic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Pumpkin Fruit Extract Beta-Glucan, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Rosa Rugosa Flower Extract, Smilax China Bark Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Malic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Glycolic Acid, Bentonite, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 BentoniteCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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