What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Maltose
MaskingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Protease
Exfoliating
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningMaltose, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Limonene, Parfum, Citric Acid, Water, Butylene Glycol, Protease, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Tropolone
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Glucoside, Lauryl Betaine, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
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.
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
This ingredient is a postbiotic made by fermenting Bifidobacterium (a probiotic bacteria) and then filtering out the liquid portion. It has skin conditioning properties.
Much of the evidence for this ingredient is borrowed from the lysate form of this ingredient, which has a much stronger research base.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne (Malassezia) safe; Bifidobacterium is a bacterium, not a yeast or fungus.
The fungal acne concern with fermented ingredients mainly applies to yeast-derived ferments like Saccharomyces and Galactomyces, because those are in the same kingdom as Malassezia and could theoretically contain residual compounds that feed it.
Bifida is a completely different organism, so on its own it doesn't provide a food source for the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about Bifida Ferment FiltrateBifida Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic ingredient made by fermenting Bifidobacterium to extract a nutrient-rich mix of peptides, amino acids, vitamins, organic acids, and polysaccharides.
These components are basically the building blocks that your skin already uses to stay hydrated, repair itself, and maintain its barrier. That's why this ingredient helps your skin hold onto moisture and stay resilient against irritation.
One in-vitro study found that this ingredient tells your skin cells to produce more of the proteins (filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin) for building a strong and healthy barrier. This study also found this ingredient to be a solid antioxidant that helped neutralize damage against UV and pollution.
A study with people from 2010 found that sensitive, reactive skin using a cream with 10% of this ingredient for a month became noticeably less dry, less reactive, and harder to irritate compared to the group using a plain cream.
In short, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient that can help with barrier repair, antioxidant protection, and calming reactive skin.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne (Malassezia) safe; Bifidobacterium is a bacterium, not a yeast or fungus.
The fungal acne concern with fermented ingredients mainly applies to yeast-derived ferments like Saccharomyces and Galactomyces, because those are in the same kingdom as Malassezia and could theoretically contain residual compounds that feed it.
Bifida is a completely different organism, so on its own it doesn't provide a food source for the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about Bifida Ferment LysateButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is made when the Lactobacillus bacteria (the same kind that makes yogurt and kimchi) are allowed to ferment a nutrient medium.
As it ferments, it collects lactic acid, peptides, enzymes, and other bioactive metabolites to provide:
A 2023 review noted that probiotic fermentation ingredients like this one can enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce UV-induced oxidative damage, and support barrier function.
One clinical study from the same year showed a Lactobacillus ferment lysate significantly reduced transepidermal water loss and improved skin hydration.
Another review highlighted that topical Lactobacillus-based preparations can improve ceramide levels in the stratum corneum, support barrier integrity, and even help reduce S. aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis.
Why is this so cool?
Basically, your skin's outer layer works as a brick wall; skin cells are bricks and ceramides are the mortar holding it together. Moisture escapes, irritants get in, and your skin gets dry and reactive when ceramide levels drop. On top of that, "bad" skin bacteria S. aureus loves to move in when your barrier is weak to make inflammation and irritation worse.
So Lactobacillus ferment is basically patching the wall and evicting the troublemaker when it boosts ceramide production and help keep S. aureus in check.
On top of all this, it also acts as a mild antimicrobial preservative booster.
Just so you know, most studies focus on specific strains or the lysate form rather than this generic "Lactobacillus Ferment", so results can vary.
Though it's a promising ingredient, it doesn't have decades of robust clinical data behind it just yet.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus FermentLactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment LysateLactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.
Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient offers promising benefits, but it is relatively new and more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy. The manufacturer claims this ingredient:
A study from 2022 found this ingredient helped protect skin against damaged from UV exposure (though this should not replace your sunscreen!).
The lysate in the ingredient name refers to a fluid that forms from breaking down the cell membrane.
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment LysateSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate is created from fermenting Saccharomyces, a yeast also known as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast.
As a humectant, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate helps draw moisture from the air to your skin to keep your skin hydrated. The humectant properties comes from its beta-glucan content.
Water. 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
