What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Calamine
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingQuartz
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Bentonite, Calamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Kaolin, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Quartz, Citric Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Bentonite
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Maris Aqua
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Silica
Abrasive
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carrageenan
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Bentonite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Hydrated Silica, Maris Aqua, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Glucose, Sodium Phytate, Silica, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carrageenan, CI 77891, Phenoxyethanol, 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
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 BentoniteCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 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 77891Citric 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 AcidThis ingredient is also known as Bhringaraj extract or False Daisy. It is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Research shows it has antioxidant properties; lab studies have found it can protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and help suppress inflammation.
There's also some interesting research on its potential to support hair growth by promoting the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family may want to patch test this ingredient. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated otherwise.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata ExtractGlycerin (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 KaolinMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is a lightweight oil from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree. In cosmetics, it's an emollient that forms a light film to slow water loss and soften skin.
Its fatty acid composition is dominated by oleic acid (70-78%), with smaller amounts of behenic, palmitic, and stearic acids (this profile is actually pretty similar to olive oil).
Notably, this ingredient is oxidatively stable for an oil and resists going rancid as fast as other oils.
A small, in vivo study on 32 participants found a cream with this ingredient increased skin hydration with no reported skin irritation. It also found the tocopherol content gave it some antioxidant activity as well.
One thing to flag for fungal acne:
Because this oil is so high in oleic acid, Malassezia can use it as a food source and this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
For everyone else, this ingredient is well-tolerated and nourishing with a good safety track record.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilWater. 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
