What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantBetaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyglutamate, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
C13-15 Alkane
SolventArginine
Masking
Inositol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Phytate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Arginine, Inositol, Potassium Hydroxide, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Isopentyldiol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Squalane, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycerin, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Lecithin, Gluconolactone, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Phytate, Maltodextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark Extract
