What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Artocarpus Heterophyllus Seed Extract
BleachingPhyllanthus Emblica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDaucus Carota Sativa Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Azelaic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hexylresorcinol, Gluconolactone, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Morus Nigra Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Seed Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Ferulic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidAnother popular name for this ingredient is Synovea HR. This ingredient is a skin lightener and antioxidant.
Like other skin lighteners, it blocks the process of skin darkening. Specifically, this ingredient blocks tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for darkening skin when exposed to UV.
Hexylresorcinol works well with other ingredients. Studies show this ingredient boosts the effect of niacinamide, various forms of vitamin C, and retinoids.
Many consider this to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone. In fact, this ingredient produces the same results as hydroquinone in lower amounts.
Fun fact: This ingredient can also be found food and medicine for treating skin infections.
Gentle reminder from SkinSort: all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HexylresorcinolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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!
Learn more about Water
