This acne moisturizer is formulated around Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Avena Sativa Seed Water and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Succinic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-20
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Amodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycereth-20, Sorbitan Olivate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tocopheryl Acetate, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Maltodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Avena Sativa Seed Water 77%
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Surfactin
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Seed Water 77%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Surfactin, Beta-Glucan
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
