What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Diheptyl Succinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Sulfite
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
