What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Kaolin
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Bentonite
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventKaolin, Stearic Acid, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Rice Ferment Filtrate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Beta Vulgaris Root Powder 1.5%
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Powder
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPrunus Persica Seed Powder
Abrasive
Polyacrylate-13
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Palmitic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder 1.5%, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder, Bentonite, Arachidyl Glucoside, Prunus Persica Seed Powder, Polyacrylate-13, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Myristic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Panthenol, Sucrose, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, 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.
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 BentoniteCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneKaolin 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 KaolinStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidXanthan 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
