This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This acne moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Bisabolol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Max Oil
EmollientWater, Methylpropanediol, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Lecithin, Ectoin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Glycine Max Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trehalose, Succinic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthyl Lactate
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 CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractWater. 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