This barrier-repair ampoule is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHieracium Umbellatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Sulfone
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Hieracium Umbellatum Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglutamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Allantoin, Adenosine
Salicylic Acid 1.5%
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 1.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit 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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolXanthan 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