Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum Versus Sephora Collection Targeted Pores Serum with BHA and PHA

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Pentylene 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.

Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.

Succinic acid is an odorless white powder. It is naturally found in our bodies but can also be derived from living organisms.

Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the wild strawberry plant.

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

We don't have a description for Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract.

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

We don't have a description for Glucosamine.

Zingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.

Saccharomyces Ferment is created from fermenting and filtering saccharomyces, a group of fungus that includes yeasts. It is a humectant and helps hydrate the skin.

Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.

We don't have a description for Polydextrose.

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

We don't have a description for Amylopectin.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

We don't have a description for Succinoglycan.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid. This bacteria is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).

This ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.

Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.

Xanthan 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.

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.