What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentWater 13%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventLauryl Betaine
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Methylpropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSand
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxycaprylic Acid
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Plumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Powder
TonicGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Oak Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ocimum Basilicum Extract
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Sepia Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Barm Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Montmorillonite, Water 13%, Glycerin, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Lauryl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, CI 77288, Sand, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxycaprylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Withania Somnifera Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Plumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Powder, Gluconolactone, Oak Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Sepia Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Barm Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMontmorillonite
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent
Hectorite
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Glutamate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bentonite, Hectorite, Illite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus, Sodium Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid
Alternatives
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMontmorillonite 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 MontmorilloniteWater. 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
