What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Palm Kernelamide DEA
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-7
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Palm Kernelamide DEA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salicylic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-7, Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Kaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMenthol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLaureth-21
CleansingCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Kaolin, Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Charcoal Powder, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-21, CI 77266
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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, itβs 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 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
