The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask Versus Skintific Alaska Volcano Pore Clay Stick
This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Charcoal Powder for a rinse-off oil-control boost.
This wash off mask is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveMoroccan Lava Clay
AbrasiveMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPumice
AbrasiveArgania Spinosa Shell Powder
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMethylpropanediol
SolventAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Moroccan Lava Clay, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Alcohol Denat., Camellia Sinensis Leaf, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pumice, Argania Spinosa Shell Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Charcoal Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limonene, Linalool, Methylpropanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Menthoxypropanediol, Citral, Geraniol, Coumarin, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantVolcanic Soil
Skin ConditioningManicouagan Clay
AbsorbentStearic Acid
CleansingGlycolic Acid
BufferingBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Mother Of Pearl Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCollagen
MoisturisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantCeteth-25
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantButylene Glycol
HumectantHectorite
AbsorbentPEG-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPhytic Acid
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPaeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Denudata Flower Extract
Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingPopulus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Volcanic Soil, Manicouagan Clay, Stearic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Mother Of Pearl Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Collagen, Pentylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77499, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bisabolol, Ceteth-25, Phenoxyethanol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Hectorite, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Magnolia Denudata Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, CI 77891, Polysorbate 20, Titanium Dioxide, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Parfum, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinKaolin 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 KaolinParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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