What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Calcite Powder
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Rhodosorus Marinus Extract
Antioxidant
Thymol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventQuaternium-73
Water, Kaolin, Calcite Powder, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Amylopectin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rhodosorus Marinus Extract, Thymol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Quaternium-73
Water
Skin ConditioningBentonite
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Calamine
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Aluminum Silicate
Abrasive
Silicon
Abrasive
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-8
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Papain
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
C9-11 Pareth-6
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Bentonite, Glycerin, Calamine, Propanediol, Aluminum Silicate, Silicon, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Sulfur, Zinc Oxide, PEG-8, Polyacrylamide, Gluconolactone, Zinc PCA, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Papain, Bromelain, Xanthan Gum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Salicylic Acid, C9-11 Pareth-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BentoniteEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
