What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract 20%
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract 2%
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract 2%
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-5 Ethylhexanoate
EmulsifyingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract 20%, Triethanolamine, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract 2%, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract 2%, Lactic Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Trideceth-9, PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Maltobionic Acid
Buffering
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRumex Acetosella Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Mandelic Acid, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hexapeptide-9, Tetrapeptide-4, Squalane, Maltobionic Acid, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Creatine, Allantoin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Rumex Acetosella Extract, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Bromelain, Papain, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractGluconolactone 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural âglueâ that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatâs where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donât skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
