This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Salix Alba Bark Water and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
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
ChelatingCaprylyl/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
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolGlycolic 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 “glue” 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 (that’s 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 don’t 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 you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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
