What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Coco-Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
4-Terpineol
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin, Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Beta-Glucan, Fructooligosaccharides, Gluconolactone, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 4-Terpineol, Zinc PCA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid 0.45%
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-67
Dextrin
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose
Humectant
Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingUltramarines
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melaleuca Viminalis Extract
Pyrus Malus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract
Astringent
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid 0.45%, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Silica, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-67, Dextrin, Zea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract, Sodium Acetate, Ultramarines, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Viminalis Extract, Pyrus Malus Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGluconolactone 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is the sodium salt from the lauric acid of glutamic acid.
It is a surfactant and helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants from your skin so they may be washed away easily.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
