What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-20
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arginine
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycarya Strobilacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPsoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, PEG-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Acer Saccharum Extract, Platycarya Strobilacea Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Carbomer, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethylene Glycol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
