What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHoney
HumectantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Salicylic Acid 2%, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Carnosine, Gluconolactone, Lactobionic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Honey, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Glycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether, Sodium Hydroxide
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantDiglycerin
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientZea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Papain, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Allantoin, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Glycerin (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 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 AcidWater. 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