What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCalamine
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Powder
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Water, 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 ConditioningKaolin 18%
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract 0.05%
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Bentonite
Absorbent
Illite
Abrasive
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningMontmorillonite
AbsorbentCalamine
AbsorbentWater, Kaolin 18%, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone, CI 77491, Centella Asiatica Extract 0.05%, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Bentonite, Illite, Mineral Salts, Montmorillonite, Calamine
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 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 CalamineCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica 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 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 PropanediolWater. 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
