What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Panthenol, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
C12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicDisodium EDTA
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Fructan
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Calamine
AbsorbentEugenol
Perfuming
Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Octyldodecanol, Asiaticoside, Panthenol, Asiatic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycolipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Madecassic Acid, C12-13 Alketh-9, Sorbitan Olivate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Gluconolactone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Fructan, Glucose, Calamine, Eugenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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
