What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Menthol
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
CI 12490
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74160
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Behenyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, PEG-8, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Betaine, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthol, Lactic Acid, Parfum, CI 12490, CI 74160
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSilica Cetyl Silylate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytic Acid
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica Cetyl Silylate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Charcoal Powder, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Sclerotium Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Glycerin (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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
