What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCalamine
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Powder
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingEctoin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Calamine, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, CI 77492, CI 77499, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Arvensis Powder, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Ectoin
Water
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract 11%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentDiglycerin
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder 0.6%
Calamine
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Shell Powder
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 0.1%
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Extract 0.1%
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Glucose
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingCanadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningManicouagan Clay
AbsorbentIllite
AbrasiveChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingMontmorillonite
AbsorbentProtease
ExfoliatingWater, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract 11%, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Diglycerin, Zea Mays Starch, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder 0.6%, Calamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract 0.1%, Phaseolus Radiatus Extract 0.1%, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Polyisobutene, Glucose, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Abies Sibirica Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Manicouagan Clay, Illite, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Montmorillonite, Protease
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
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 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 GlycolCalamine is a "pink powder" that is used to calm itchy or irritated skin. In official medical standards, calamine is basically almost all zinc oxide with a tiny bit of iron oxide added for the pink color.
Lab testing requires that it’s at least 98% zinc oxide, which just means it has to be very pure and mostly zinc oxide.
In skincare, calamine can help relieve itches, calm skin, and absorb excess moisture/oil. This is why you'll often see it used for oozing rashes. Calamine is approved as a skin protectant active at 1-25% in US OTC drug products.
A big part of calamine's soothing effect comes from zinc oxide's protective properties. Since calamine can absorb excess moisture/oil, it might be drying for already dry skin types.
A review of topical medicament allergies notes that contact dermatitis from calamine isn't typically reported, but added actives in a formulation are known sensitizers.
Learn more about CalamineWe don't have a description for Chlorella Vulgaris Powder yet.
Dipropylene 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 PropanediolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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