
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Skin lightening cooling foam, 11 ingredients
FEATURES
Skin lightening, cooling effect, removes excessive oil and grease, brightened look
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Avoid contact with eyes, discontinue if irritation occurs
Who Is It For?
Men No Age SpecifiedWhat Does It Help With?
Oil Control Brightening SkinBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What GARNIER Says
Product Description:
The 1st skin lightening cooling foam for men that also removes excessive oil and grease for a perfectly clean brightened look.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua-water, glycerin, myristic-acid, palmitic-acid, stearic-acid, potassium-hydroxide, lauric-acid, butylene-glycol, sorbitol, glyceryl-stearate-se, kaolin, parfum-fragrance, cl-77266-black-2, citrus-medica-limonium-extract-lemon-fruit-extract, menthol, tetrasodium-edta
Key Ingredients
Lemon Fruit Extract, Menthol, Kaolin
Ingredients Details
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Kaolin
Common Name(s): China clay,kaolinite,white cosmetic clay
CAS Number: 1332-58-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides oil absorption and matting from the fine platelet clay structure.
Why It's Used: Most versatile cosmetic clay โ gentle enough for sensitive skin while providing effective oil absorption, matting, and mineral conditioning.
How It Works: 1:1 layered silicate clay platelets absorb oils via capillary action in inter-platelet spaces. very mild ph (6-7). white colour from al-o-si lattice. fine particle size (0.5-4ฮผm) provides gentle exfoliation and smooth texture. negative surface charge provides light skin conditioning.
Typically Found In: Masks,foundations,dry shampoo,mattifying products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ white clay mineral
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ50%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ natural mineral
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Kaolin's oil absorption mechanism involves genuine capillary condensation of oils into the inter-platelet micropores between its layered silicate sheets. the surface area of cosmetic-grade kaolin (10-30 mยฒ/g) provides thousands of square meters of oil-adsorbing surface per gram โ explaining its exceptional mattifying efficacy despite its inert mineral composition.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Menthol
Common Name(s): L-menthol,peppermint camphor,(-)-menthol
CAS Number: 89-78-1
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Activates trpm8 cold thermoreceptors for intense cooling sensation and analgesic activity.
Why It's Used: The most potent cosmetic cooling agent โ direct trpm8 agonist providing cooling sensation without actual temperature reduction for refreshing and analgesic formulations.
How It Works: Potent trpm8 (menthol receptor/cold thermosensor) agonist โ activation at room temperature mimics cold sensation without actual cooling. anti-pruritic via trpm8 activation competing with itch c-fiber signaling. antimicrobial via membrane disruption.
Typically Found In: Cooling products,scalp treatments,oral care,pain relief,foot care,after-sun
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cooling sensory terpenoid
Secondary Functions: Redness reduction,anti-inflammatory,calming
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from mentha piperita or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2/5 โ low to moderate; potential sensitizer
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Avoid near eyes. use with caution at concentrations above 1% for sensitive skin.
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 4.5% (leave-on); regulations vary by application site. avoid on infants' face.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Menthol's exceptional cooling potency stems from its ec50 for trpm8 activation of approximately 10ฮผm (vs camphor's ec50 of ~5mm โ 500ร lower potency). this 500ร potency advantage explains why even tiny concentrations of menthol provide intense cooling, while much higher concentrations of camphor are required for equivalent sensation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,mckemy et al. menthol trpm8 discovery,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Sorbitol
Common Name(s): D-glucitol,l-glucitol,sorbol
CAS Number: 50-70-4
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Attracts and retains moisture providing skin softening and hydration.
Why It's Used: Widely used, cost-effective humectant and formulation ingredient in moisturizers, toothpastes, and personal care.
How It Works: 6 hydroxyl groups provide strong water binding through hydrogen bonding. metabolized slowly by skin as an osmolyte.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,body lotions,toothpaste,shampoos,many personal care products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ sugar alcohol humectant
Secondary Functions: Formulation solvent,viscosity modifier
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (corn, apples) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Produced by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose. derived from corn starch or other carbohydrate sources. gras food-approved.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Sorbitol's osmolyte function in cells (accumulates in response to osmotic stress) suggests it may provide protection to skin cells under dehydrating environmental conditions, complementing its well-established surface humectant activity.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12