What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Water
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Prunus Mume Fruit Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldodeceth-16, C12-14 Pareth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOzothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingRose Flower Oil
MaskingFortunella Margarita Peel Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPhosphorus Pentoxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Fortunella Margarita Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodeceth-16, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Citral
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the âgoodâ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycolic 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 âglueâ 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 (thatâs 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 donât 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 youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidOctyldodeceth-16 comes from the fatty-alcohol Octyldodecanol.
Emulsifers keep oils and water ingredients together to create a more even consistency.
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, itâs 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 Water