What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydrated Silica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-10
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, CI 77891, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Behenyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Volcanic Ash, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydrated Silica, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, CI 77007, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveHoney
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Hull Powder
AbrasiveIsononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHoney Extract
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingWater, Kaolin, Honey, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Honey Extract, Bentonite, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Menthyl Lactate
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.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
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholBentonite 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 KaolinPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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