Dr Botanicals Charcoal Superfood Mattifying Face Mask 30ml

Activated Charcoal helps to draw out impurities and purify the skin. It has a unique structure which means it can absorb excess sebum for a shine-free, fresh complexion. Charcoal is great for clogged pores and a complexion in need of a detox.₁

Fruit Acids exfoliate and buff away dead skin cells which cause a dull and congested complexion. The natural acids refresh and revitalise the skin, revealing a brighter look.

Glycerin is known for being an excellent humectant, meaning it retains moisture. It occurs naturally in our skin, and in skincare it can help to protect the skin’s barrier.₂

Aqua (Water)

The most common skincare ingredient of them all, water acts as a solvent for other ingredients in a skincare product. It's normally the first in an ingredients list, which means it's the main thing in the product. Water in cosmetics is purified, which makes products more stable over time.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

This is one smooth operator. Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it's considered to be a great emollient and moisturiser for the skin. It has a mix of fatty acids that can repair the skin barrier and reduce loss of moisture.₃

Glycerin

Glycerin is a compound that naturally occurs in our skin. It’s a colourless, odourless liquid and is a dream skincare ingredient because it protects against irritation, strengthens the skin's moisture barrier and it's a humectant - a quality which means it retains water.

Glyceryl Stearate SE

A mixture of glycerin and stearic acid, this is used as an emollient for the skin and a texture enhancer for the product.₄

Cetearyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol that's a mix of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, cetearyl alcohol acts as an emollient which means it soothes and softens the skin. Skincare with cetearyl alcohol can still be "alcohol free" as the effects are completely unlike skin-aggravating forms of alcohol.₅

Charcoal Powder

This carbon substance has unique absorption qualities - perfect for oily, congested or combination skin.

Stearic Acid

This fatty acid is used as an emollient to soothe and soften the skin. It can also act as an emulsifier meaning it combines water and oil which normally resist each other. The acid has been shown to protect the skin's moisture barrier. It can be found in animals and plants or made synthetically.₆

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

This enhances and thickens the texture of a formulation.

Benzyl Alcohol

This organic alcohol occurs naturally in some teas and fruits like apricots and cranberries. It's mainly used in skincare as a preservative, and it's one of the gentlest preservatives out there. It can also be used to scent products as it's part of the floral fragrance in essential oils like jasmine.₇

Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract

This plant extract is generally 95% water, the remaining 5% made up of Vitamin C, caffeic acid (an antioxidant), fatty acids and trace minerals. It's often used in anti-ageing skincare due to its antioxidant activity and the mineral silica - found to firm skin losing its elasticity.₈

Xanthan Gum

Totally natural and produced from glucose and sucrose, xanthan gum is a common skincare ingredient used for its thickening and emulsifying abilities. It tends to make the texture of skincare products gel-like and corrects a product that is too runny.

Gluconolactone

Known for its exfoliating abilities, and similar to AHAs like glycolic acid, Gluconolactone is a less abrasive, gentler exfoliant due to its larger molecular structure meaning it doesn't penetrate the skin as deeply, while remaining effective.₉

Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract

Bilberries are similar to blueberries and they have just as many benefits for the skin. Their deep colour comes from their rich antioxidant source which can protect the skin against environmental damage and UVA light. Applied to skin, it can soothe and prevent redness.₁₀

Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract

Sugar Cane is mostly used to moisturise the skin as it's a humectant, meaning it draws and retains moisture.₁₁

Sodium Benzoate

This salt works to preserve cosmetics and food products.

Dehydroacetic Acid

This preservative is popular in natural skincare. It's super effective at enabling products to last longer and works in low concentrations.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract

Bitter Orange extract, used for its fragrance.

Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract

Lemon extract is used for its acid which can help to remove dead skin cells.

Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract

This can be used as a pH adjuster and for its natural AHA acids which some believe can slough off dead skin cells.₁₂

Calcium Gluconate

We all know how important calcium is for our body. It's been shown that this ingredient can also smooth skin when applied topically.₁₃

Wheat Amino Acids

This blend of amino acids comes from wheat protein and is used for its hydrating effect on the skin.₁₄

Benzyl Salicylate

This chemical is used for its fragrance.

Hexyl Cinnamal

This fragrance ingredient is used for its jasmine-like scent.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Perhaps because it thrives in hot, dry climates, aloe vera is a great moisturiser as it's a humectant, meaning it retains water. It's also known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection and wound healing properties.₁₅

Oleanolic Acid

This skin-soothing ingredient is great for the skin because of its potent antioxidant content.₁₆

EDTA

EDTA is a stabiliser and prevents a formulation from changing in consistency, odour and colour.

Potassium Sorbate

This is used to preserve formulations.