This acne serum is formulated around Propolis Extract and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and brighten dull-looking skin.
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Panthenol to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLotus Corniculatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Citric Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Bisabolol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolWater. 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