What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingHydrastis Canadensis Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Glycolic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Allantoin, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Salicylic Acid 1.5%
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 1.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
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 GlycerinSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
