What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Azelaic Acid 15%
Buffering
Niacinamide 4%
Smoothing
Panthenol 1%
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Azelaic Acid 15%, Niacinamide 4%, Panthenol 1%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Oryza Sativa Starch, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 20, Pvp, Sorbitan Olivate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Water, Propylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-6
Squalane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-6, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Cyclodextrin, Capryloyl Glycine, Xanthan Gum, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
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.
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 preservatives
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
