What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Phytate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Glycerin
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Water, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Potassium Benzoate, Sorbitol, Coco-Glucoside, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin
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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
