This smoothing essence is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sucrose Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Xylitol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Octyldodeceth-16, Betaine, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mineral Salts, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
