What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBentonite
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Calamine
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camphor
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bentonite, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Sulfur, Calamine, Salicylic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc PCA, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camphor, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Benzyl Glycol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Glycerin, CI 77891, Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Oxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Madecassoside, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf 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.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
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene 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 KaolinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 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
