Science: Borghese Fango Active Mud for Delicate Dry Skin Reviewed by NvWah

This is a mud-based cleansing mask intended for dry skin. Compared to the version for dry skin, this version is supplemented with more moisturizing and soothing ingredients.

The main ingredient kaolin and bentonite are both clay that are used as an oil-controlling absorbent in cosmetics therefore cleanse the skin. It could be overdrying. So do not use this mask more than twice a week.

This is a more nutritious mask compared to the dry skin mask. There are botanical oils such as mango, olive. There are green tea extract and vitamin E that fend off the free radical damage. Also there are aloe and oat that sooth minor irritation. Interestingly I see quite a bit essential oil content in this product too. Essential oils may have stimulating properties for skin but also could cause irritation.

However there are two ingredients that could cause serious concerns. The third abundant ingredient propylene glycol at low concentration is used as a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient to keep from drying. It is easily absorbed through skin. At higher concentraion it could a potent skin irritant. PG could provoke skin irritation and sensitization at concentration as low as 2%. In fact U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning to avoid skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. What's the exact concentration of PG in this product is not clear.

The other troublesome ingredient is talc. Talc is naturally occurring silicate mineral of magnesium. It gives skin a slippery sensation and water resistance. However, talc is very similar in structure and properties to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs. In 1973 FDA warned about limiting the amount of asbestos-like talc in cosmetics but no ruling was made. As a result cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. Even without any asbestos-resemblance cosmetic grade talc has been reported to cause tumors in animal subjects in 1993 National Toxicology Program studies.

Consider this is a mask product that only comes in contact with skin once or twice a week, these may not be that big a concern. Use caution when use this product. Stop using if there is any sign of irritation.

Safety alert: Elevated
review based on scientific information of the product ingredients.

1st ingredient		is water.
2nd ingredient		kaolin is natural clay mineral that is used in oil control cosmetics for its absorbent properties.
3rd ingredient		aloe can have some wound-healing and anti-irritant properties. It also acts as a water-binding agent.
4th ingredient		propylene glycol at low concentration is used as a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient to keep from drying. It is easily absorbed through skin. At higher concentraion it could a potent skin irritant. PG could provoke skin irritation and sensitization at concentration as low as 2%. In fact U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning to avoid skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.

Alcohol	Fragrance	Preservative	Allergy	Price	Color Additive	Sun Protection	Suitable Skin Type

Yes	Yes	Yes	Mid-High	$61	Yes	No	Dry

Oil absorbing		Kaolin, Bentonite
Moisturizing		Safflower seed oil, Mango butter, Squalane, Olive extract, Glycerin
Exfoliating		Oat, Mineral salt, Sea salt
Anti-oxidants		Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Camellia oleifera (green tea) extract, Grapefruit oil (vitamin C and E), Witch hazel
Anti-inflammatory		Aloe, Oat, Chamomilla recutita oil, Bisabolol, Allantoin
Suppleness		Glycosaminoglycans, Adenosine triphosphate, Collagen amino acids

Illness		contains propylene glycol (PG). PG at low concentration is used as a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient to keep from drying. It is easily absorbed through skin. At higher concentraion it could a potent skin irritant. PG could provoke skin irritation and sensitization at concentration as low as 2%. In fact U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning to avoid skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. contains Talc which is naturally occurring silicate mineral of magnesium. Talc is very similar in structure and properties to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs. In 1973 FDA warned about limiting the amount of asbestos-like talc in cosmetics but no ruling was made. As a result cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. Even without any asbestos-resemblance cosmetic grade talc has been reported to cause tumors in animal subjects in 1993 National Toxicology Program studies.
Skin irritation		contains grapefruit oil (citrus grandis). It may be potent antioxidant but also cause irritation to skin. Topical application may cause contact dermatitis or a phototoxic reaction when skin is exposed to sunlight. contains witch hazel which has potent antioxidant properties and some anti-irritant properties. But witch hazel also has a high alcohol and tannin content, both of which can be irritating overdosed.
Fragrance		Contains geraniol, linalool, citronellol, all fragrance. Should be avoided by people who are allergic to fragrance.

Preservatives		Quaternium-15, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Emollients		Glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol
Essential oils		Rosewood oil, Geranium maculatum oil, Peppermint oil, Lavender oil, Bergamot (citrus) oil
Thickening agents		Fuller's earth (Sodium fullonum)
Colorants		Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxides, Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Borghese

Masks

Borghese Fango Active Mud for Delicate Dry Skin