What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
AbsorbentBenzyl Glycol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Glycerin, CI 77891, Bentonite, Benzyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Allantoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 19140, CI 42090, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCamphor
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBHT
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientIsomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPalmitic Acid
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialWater, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Alcohol Denat., Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Camphor, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, BHT, Polysorbate 80, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbic Acid, Beeswax, Benzalkonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Silica, Zinc Sulfate
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 KaolinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water