What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Kaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentTrehalose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantSea Salt
AbrasiveAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningKaolin 20%
AbrasiveHouttuynia Cordata Extract 10.1%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSoluble Collagen
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCalamine
AbsorbentHouttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantProtease
ExfoliatingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningQuercetin
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin 20%, Houttuynia Cordata Extract 10.1%, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Hexylene Glycol, Zea Mays Starch, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Soluble Collagen, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Calamine, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Fructooligosaccharides, Protease, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Quercetin, Palmitoyl Proline, Tripeptide-5, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77492
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 KaolinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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