The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash Versus L'Oreal Pure Clay Mask Purify & Matify
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash 27 ingredients
L'Oreal Pure Clay Mask Purify & Matify 27 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash 27 ingredients
L'Oreal Pure Clay Mask Purify & Matify 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Argilla
Abrasive
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Kaolin, Argilla, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Charcoal Powder, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Moroccan Lava Clay
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Methylparaben
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Silica, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Starch, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Moroccan Lava Clay, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 61570, CI 77492, Linalool, Geraniol, Coumarin, Citronellol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 KaolinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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. 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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