What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Solum Diatomeae
Abrasive
Hectorite
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Paullinia Cupana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Solum Diatomeae, Hectorite, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77491, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Paullinia Cupana Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Solum Diatomeae
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Bentonite
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Limonene
Perfuming
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Solum Diatomeae, Propanediol, Bentonite, Decyl Glucoside, Alcohol Denat., Lauryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Pvp, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Laureth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinKaolin 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 KaolinLimonene 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 LinaloolSalicylic 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 AcidSolum Diatomeae is an exfoliant.
Water. 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
