What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveMontmorillonite
AbsorbentLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOryzanol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentMoroccan Lava Clay
AbrasiveCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-10
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycol, CI 77499, Oryzanol, Oryza Sativa Starch, Moroccan Lava Clay, Charcoal Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveMontmorillonite
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Bentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol Laurate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Stearate
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSimethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Polysorbate 20, Jojoba Esters, PEG-100 Stearate, Bentonite, Glycerin, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Simethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Laurate, Hexylene Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolKaolin 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 KaolinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMontmorillonite 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 MontmorillonitePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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