What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Propylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Creatine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
