What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Cydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteareth-20, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Charcoal Powder, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Cydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sclareolide
Masking
Rose Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, CI 77891, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sclareolide, Rose Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Extract
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 BentoniteThis 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit 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 KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract comes from the bilberry plant. This plant is native to Eurasia.
Bilberry contains antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Fighting off these molecules can help reduce signs of aging.
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract also helps reduce irritation.
Learn more about Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit ExtractWater. 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
