Acwell Licorice Ph Balancing Advance Serum Versus Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist
Updated on January 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Acwell Licorice Ph Balancing Advance Serum 35 ingredients
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist 39 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Acwell Licorice Ph Balancing Advance Serum 35 ingredients
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
Antioxidant
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPteris Multifida Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Glutathione, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycyrrhizic Acid
HumectantParfum
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldodeceth-16, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water is from the licorice root.
One component of licorice root, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root WaterMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about Glycerin1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Acwell Licorice Ph Balancing Advance Serum 35 ingredients
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Acwell Licorice Ph Balancing Advance Serum 35 ingredients
This serum is so slept on, it is great for brightening your complexion and it has a higher percentage of licorice than the toner. its also quite hydrating and soothing. I was kind of scared to get into it because it has niacinamide in it, but its lower on the ingredients list and my skin loves this. I will forever repurchase, only issue is that not many kbeauty stores stock this.
