What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentPhaseolus Angularis Seed Powder
Betaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIllite
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMontmorillonite
AbsorbentCalcite
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Medica Vulgaris Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingAniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
AstringentCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
AstringentRose Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingWater, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Betaine, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Illite, Xanthan Gum, CI 77288, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, CI 77492, CI 77499, Montmorillonite, Calcite, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
AbsorbentMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveManicouagan Clay
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Houttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
HumectantMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, CI 77891, Bentonite, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Silica, Manicouagan Clay, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Allantoin, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBentonite 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 BentoniteButylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCi 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 KaolinWater. 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