What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicMaranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit, Lactic Acid, Arginine, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycolic Acid, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dextrin
AbsorbentCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Trehalose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Gluconolactone, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Dextrin, Cyanocobalamin, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural āglueā that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatās where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donāt skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
