What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Hectorite
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Limus
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Solum Diatomeae
Abrasive
Hectorite
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Paullinia Cupana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Solum Diatomeae, Hectorite, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77491, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Paullinia Cupana Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinWe don't have a description for Hectorite yet.
Hydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneKaolin 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 KaolinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
