Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Danné Montague-King (DMK) Acu Masque Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask

Danné Montague-King (DMK) Acu Masque Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask This wash off mask is formulated around Sulfur to clear breakouts. This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Charcoal Powder for a rinse-off oil-control boost. What's inside Key Ingredients

Danné Montague-King (DMK) Acu Masque Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask

This wash off mask is formulated around Sulfur to clear breakouts.

This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Charcoal Powder for a rinse-off oil-control boost.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Sulfur

Kaolin

Bentonite

Butylene Glycol

Glycerin

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Zinc Oxide

CI 77891

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Caprylyl Glycol

Potassium Sorbate

Limonene

Water, Sulfur, Kaolin, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Zinc Oxide, CI 77891, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene

Charcoal Powder

Phenoxyethanol

Xanthan Gum

Citric Acid

Ethylhexylglycerin

Hexylene Glycol

Disodium EDTA

Water, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA

Alternatives

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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

Glycerin (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.

Kaolin 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.

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.

Magnesium aluminum silicate is used for enhancing texture and as an absorbent. Due to its large molecular size, it is unable to be absorbed into the skin.

Like other types of silica, this ingredient can be used to thicken a product. As an absorbent, it may be used to absorb extra water or help prevent clumping.

Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Side-by-side

  1. 01Water
  2. 02Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
  3. 03Cocamidopropyl Betaine
  4. 04Lactic Acid
  5. 05Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
  6. 06Sodium Chloride
  7. 07Propanediol
  8. 08Sodium Hydroxide
  9. 09Phenoxyethanol
  10. 10Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
  11. 11Ethylhexylglycerin
  12. 12Sodium Benzoate
  13. 13Caprylyl Glycol
  14. 14Chlorphenesin
  15. 15Potassium Sorbate
  16. 16Allantoin
  17. 17Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
  18. 18Salix Nigra Bark Extract
  19. 19Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
  20. 20Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol…
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

PCA Skin Facial Wash Oily/Problem

PCA Skin Facial Wash Oily/Problem PCA Skin Facial Wash Oily/Problem ingredients explained: Water, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Gluconolactone, Gl…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →

Product

PCA Skin Daily Defense Mist

PCA Skin Daily Defense Mist PCA Skin Daily Defense Mist ingredients explained: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Marrubiu…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side