What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycine
BufferingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantWater, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, C12-14 Alketh-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Tocopherol, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
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 GlycolGluconolactone 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 GluconolactonePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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