This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone 10%
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone 10%, Glycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 8%
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycolic Acid 8%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Phytosterols, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
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
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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 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
