What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingSqualane
EmollientArginine
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSilica
AbrasiveGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Glucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Squalane, Arginine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Silica, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Saccharomyces Ferment, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Oryza Sativa Starch, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Sodium PCA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Glyceryl Caprylate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Glucose, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, C15-19 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauroyl Lysine, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Triheptanoin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingOpuntia 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
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 GlycerinSalix 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