This pore-care toner is formulated around Salix Alba Bark Water and Betaine Salicylate to refine the look of pores and balance excess oil.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer and Glycolic Acid to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Mentha Haplocalix Extract
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Water, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Arginine, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingArginine
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tamarindus Indica Extract
SmoothingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cellulose, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, CI 77891, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Mica, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Arginine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tamarindus Indica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
