What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Amylopectin
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPlatonin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Calcium Pantothenate
Urea
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Lactate
BufferingSerine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Butylene Glycol, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Amylopectin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Cyclodextrin, Platonin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Urea, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Papain, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Lactate, Potassium Lactate, Serine, Alanine, Proline, Glycolic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Zinc PCA, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Colloidal Oatmeal, Maltodextrin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycolic 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 “glue” 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 (that’s 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 don’t 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 you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Urea is actually one of the more well-studied and well-supported ingredients out there if you have eczema.
Clinical trials have shown that urea creams in the 5 - 10% range can:
Higher concentrations (20 -30%) can also help with thickened, scaly patches but is also more likely to sting on active flares.
Skip urea if you have rosacea. The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) lists it alongside alcohol, menthol, and fragrance as a potential irritant for rosacea-prone skin. Urea's keratolytic and penetration-enhancing properties can trigger stinging, burning, and redness.
As always, your skin is unique, so definitely check in with your dermatologist.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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
