What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Coco-Glucoside, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Phytate, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tannic Acid
AstringentLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactococcus Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Collagen, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycine, Propolis Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Citric Acid, Tannic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Potassium Sorbate, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Collagen Extract
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
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 GlycerinMyristic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is naturally found in milk fat. Other sources include palm oil, coconut oil, and butter fat.
Myristic Acid is an emulsifer and cleanser. As an emulsifer, it stabilizes a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Myristic Acid helps clean your skin by acting as a surfactant. It tends to gather oil and dirt on your skin to be easily rinsed away.
One study from 2021 found Myristic Acid to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Myristic AcidPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
