What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-8
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hectorite
AbsorbentChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77891, PEG-8, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Sodium Hydroxide, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hectorite, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Poloxamer 407, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, CI 77288, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentKaolin
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Zea Mays Starch, Montmorillonite, Kaolin, Talc, Ethylhexylglycerin, Charcoal Powder, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sea Water, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pvp, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, CI 77891
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
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 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 KaolinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
