What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Amylopectin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Cholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientTricaprylin
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Amylopectin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea, Polyglutamic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Triethanolamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Tricaprylin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAmylopectin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Amylopectin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Allantoin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gluconolactone, Betaine Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, CI 42090, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Amylopectin yet.
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 GlycolDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinGlycolic 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
We don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract yet.
Salicylic 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, it’s 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
