Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel Versus Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Exfoliating Toner
This exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to control oil.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Prunus Mume Flower Water, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Sorbitol, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSwiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactobionic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Xylitol, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Mentha Piperita Oil
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract is also known as Lotus Flower Extract and it's mainly valued as an antioxidant + soothing ingredient for skincare.
It's rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that protect skin against radical damage from UV rays and pollution.
Lab studies on human skin show it calms inflammation by reducing inflammatory signals in skin cells without causing cell damage.
Cell and formulation studies also point to whitening/brightening + anti-wrinkle effects; the extracts from the leaf, seed, and flower showed measurable elastase (wrinkle-related enzyme) and tyrosinase (pigment related enzyme) inhibition.
A cream containing lotus extract also no significant irritation and stayed stable over a month of storage.
Typical usage in cosmetics is usually on the lower end (~0.5-5%) depending on the formula.
Allergy-wise, this ingredient is considered low risk and often included in products made for sensitive/irritated skin. But like any plant extract, it carries a small possibility of contact allergy in people sensitive to plant extracts.
Learn more about Nelumbo Nucifera Flower ExtractWater. 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