Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Facial Clay Mask Versus Andalou Naturals Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum
This wash off mask is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This brightening serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Tapioca Starch
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Honey
Humectant
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Myroxylon Pereirae Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Charcoal Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Honey, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Myroxylon Pereirae Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Algin
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Algin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Allantoin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Steareth-2, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Laurate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Riboflavin, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
