What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Bentonite
Absorbent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Polyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMannitol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-10
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Silica, Glycerin, Trehalose, Volcanic Ash, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, CI 77499, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xanthan Gum, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sorbitan Stearate, Zea Mays Starch, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, CI 77492, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Metaphosphate, Lactic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyisobutene, CI 77491, Menthoxypropanediol, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyquaternium-10, Lecithin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Bentonite
Absorbent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOlive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Chromium Oxide Greens
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Pantolactone
Humectant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sesame Amino Acids
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Notoginseng Root Extract
HumectantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Triethylhexanoin, Behenyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Bentonite, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Propylene Glycol, Chromium Oxide Greens, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, CI 77492, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Serine, Glycine, Glucose, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Pantolactone, Menthyl Lactate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Valine, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Isoleucine, Ceramide NP, Salicylic Acid, Sesame Amino Acids, Leucine, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Dextrin, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Potassium Hydroxide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Panax Notoginseng Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lactobacillus, Phenoxyethanol, Diazolidinyl Urea
Reviews
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 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholCI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinYou might know this ingredient as walnut shell powder. It is an abrasive used as a physical exfoliator.
Abrasives are physical exfoliants used to get rid of dead cell buildup on your skin. Physical exfoliators have a bad reputation due to the myth that they give your face tiny cuts. This is untrue.
Like any exfoliant, using this ingredient can disrupt your skin barrier. This can lead to breakouts, irritation, and dryness. It is critical to be gentle when using any type of exfoliator.
If you want to use a chemical exfoliator instead, check out glycolic acid.
Learn more about Juglans Regia Shell PowderKaolin 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 KaolinWater. 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
