What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Shell Powder
AbrasiveAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveHoney
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCoffea Arabica Seed Powder
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Powder
Stearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBentonite
AbsorbentCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Water, Kaolin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glycerin, Coffea Arabica Seed Powder, Oryza Sativa Powder, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 KaolinStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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