What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroquinone
Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialEucalyptus Globulus Leaf
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Arbutin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroquinone, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid, Lactic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventBis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Squalane
Emollient
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
PEG-35 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ProtectingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Lysine
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Arachidonate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Biotin, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Squalane, Soluble Collagen, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Alcohol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Pvp, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetate, Lecithin, Lysine, Inositol, Retinyl Palmitate, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Silica, Oligopeptide-1, Fullerenes, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin
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
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTALactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSalicylic 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 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 Hyaluronate
