What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
CI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentOnsen-Sui
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-10
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Bentonite, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Volcanic Ash, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Onsen-Sui, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Madecassoside, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCommiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Papain
Skin ConditioningPetroselinum Crispum Seed Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Algin
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77491, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Limonene, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Carbomer, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, CI 77499, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Papain, Petroselinum Crispum Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Algin, Potassium Sorbate
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 BentoniteGlycerin 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 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 KaolinLactic 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 āglueā 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 donāt penetrate as deeply. This means theyāre 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 skinās 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 productās 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 AcidWater. 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
