What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Azelamide Mea
SurfactantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Azelaic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Disodium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Maltodextrin, Azelamide Mea, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root 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.
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 AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
