What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sulfur 5%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Peat Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sulfur 5%, Water, Kaolin, Isopentyldiol, Bentonite, Peat Extract, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingBentonite
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Menthoxypropanediol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77289, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BentoniteCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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
