What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentProtease
ExfoliatingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Dextrin, Propanediol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Protease, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Activated Clay
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycolic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMethylparaben
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveGlycine
BufferingBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
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 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 GlycerinWater. 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