This acne moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,10-Decanediol
Solvent10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
BufferingWater, Sea Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Ceramide AP, 1,10-Decanediol, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Rose Flower Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Soluble Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Raffinose, Isostearyl Isostearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Folic Acid, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, CI 42090, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceButylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
