What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingTranexamic Acid
AstringentAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingBeta Vulgaris Root Powder
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantWater, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder, Arginine, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Papain, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caramel, Phenoxyethanol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantAmylopectin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientTricaprylin
PerfumingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Amylopectin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea, Polyglutamic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Triethanolamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Tricaprylin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Amylopectin yet.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
We don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract yet.
Salicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum