What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingKaolin
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCI 77713
Cosmetic ColorantArginine
MaskingDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeButylparaben
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Kaolin, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Beeswax, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, CI 77713, Arginine, Dextrin Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tocopherol, Menthol, Alcohol, CI 19140, CI 42090, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Bentonite
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Lecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Silica, Glycerin, Trehalose, Volcanic Ash, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, CI 77499, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xanthan Gum, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sorbitan Stearate, Zea Mays Starch, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, CI 77492, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Metaphosphate, Lactic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyisobutene, CI 77491, Menthoxypropanediol, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyquaternium-10, Lecithin, Tocopherol
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 GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateKaolin 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 KaolinStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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