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Skin science article

PURITO Bentolin Pore Clay Mask Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask

PURITO Bentolin Pore Clay Mask Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Bentonite for a rinse-off oil-control boost. This wash off mask is made with Kaolin and Charcoal Powder for a rinse-off oil-control boost. What's inside

PURITO Bentolin Pore Clay Mask Versus PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask

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

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Kaolin

Butylene Glycol

Bentonite

Volcanic Ash

Hectorite

Silica

Charcoal Powder

Caprylyl Glycol

Pentylene Glycol

Hydroxyacetophenone

Citric Acid

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Xanthan Gum

Disodium EDTA

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Limus

Ethylhexylglycerin

Water, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Volcanic Ash, Hectorite, Silica, Charcoal Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Limus, Ethylhexylglycerin

Glycerin

Phenoxyethanol

Hexylene Glycol

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

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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).

Charcoal powder comes from grounded charcoal. Charcoal can originate from peat, bamboo, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum.

This ingredient has absorbent properties, making it great at absorbing oil.

Citric 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.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Disodium 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%.

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.

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!

Xanthan 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.

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. 02Dimethicone
  3. 03Butylene Glycol
  4. 04Ethylhexyl Palmitate
  5. 05Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
  6. 06Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
  7. 07Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
  8. 08Glycerin
  9. 09Cetearyl Olivate
  10. 10Sorbitan Olivate
  11. 11Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
  12. 12Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
  13. 13Cetearyl Alcohol
  14. 14Stearic Acid
  15. 15Dimethiconol
  16. 16Xanthan Gum
  17. 17Sodium Hyaluronate
  18. 18Triethanolamine
  19. 19Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
  20. 20Tocopheryl Acetate
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

PCA Skin Purifying Mask

PCA Skin Purifying Mask PCA Skin Purifying Mask ingredients explained: Water/Aqua/Eau, Pumice, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glycerin, Illite, Kaolin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-10…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →

Product

PCA Skin Hydrating Mask

PCA Skin Hydrating Mask PCA Skin Hydrating Mask ingredients explained: Water, Glycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed …

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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