What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Arginine
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingVinyldimethicone
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Tora Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSaponaria Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Plantago Major Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Arginine, Glycolic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Vinyldimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Dextrin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Cassia Tora Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Plantago Major Leaf Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural âglueâ that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatâs where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donât skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itâs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
