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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores versus Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask .

Published on April 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe wash off masks. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and oily skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Wash Off Mask American Brand United States
Wash Off Mask American Brand United States

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Price

Shop

Buy Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores

Starts at $18.76
Shop

Buy Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask

Starts at $14.59

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Acne Fighting

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 1.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent, Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Liked

Kaolin 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 Kaolin

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 3.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 5.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising
Community Rating: Loved

Montmorillonite is a clay (aluminomagnesium silicate) with strong absorption properties. It has a similar pH to skin.

This clay is named after Montmorillon in France.

Learn about other types of clay, such as Kaolin, Bentonite, or Fuller's Earth.

Learn more about Montmorillonite

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 6.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 7.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Mixed

Charcoal Powder is an exfoliant.

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 9.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 18.

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 10.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 10.

8
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 11.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 4.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 19.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 8.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores contains this as ingredient number 23.

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask contains this as ingredient number 7.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

30% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
23% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask 22 ingredients

Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sympli Beautiful Activated Charcoal Pore Refining Beauty Mask.

See 50 alternatives
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