What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveTapioca Starch
Glycerin
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentCharcoal Powder
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMel
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBackhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMyroxylon Pereirae Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Kaolin, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Bentonite, Charcoal Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Mel, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Allantoin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Myroxylon Pereirae Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPumice
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantVinegar
Kaolin
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bentonite, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Titanium Dioxide, Pumice, Propylene Glycol, Vinegar, Kaolin, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 15985, CI 16035
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 BentoniteCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidKaolin 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 KaolinWater. 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 Gum