What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Propanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Gluconate, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Leaf Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Mentha Viridis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
