What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Illite
Abrasive
Artemisia Montana Leaf Powder
Exfoliating
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentCalcite
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Angularis Seed Powder
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventAlgin
Masking
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Illite, Artemisia Montana Leaf Powder, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Montmorillonite, Calcite, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Methylpropanediol, Algin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentBentonite
Absorbent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
Calcite
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Salix Purpurea Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Indocyanine Green
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Triticum Aestivum Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Quartz
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Starch, Bentonite, Cetyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Montmorillonite, Illite, Calcite, Salicylic Acid, Salix Purpurea Bark Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Allantoin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Indocyanine Green, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Triticum Aestivum Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Quartz, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
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.
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 preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBentonite 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 BentoniteWe don't have a description for Calcite yet.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl 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 GlycerinIllite is an exfoliant.
Kaolin 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 KaolinMagnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.
Magnesium aluminum silicate is used for enhancing texture and as an absorbent. Due to its large molecular size, it is unable to be absorbed into the skin.
Like other types of silica, this ingredient can be used to thicken a product. As an absorbent, it may be used to absorb extra water or help prevent clumping.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Magnesium Aluminum SilicateMontmorillonite is a clay (aluminomagnesium silicate) with strong absorption properties. It has a similar pH to skin.
This clay is named after Montmorillon in France.
Learn about other types of clay, such as Kaolin, Bentonite, or Fuller's Earth.
Learn more about MontmorilloniteWater. 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
