Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.

We don't have a description for Carnitine Hcl.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Farnesol is a compound extracted from essential oils such as lemongrass, rose, and more. It is used as a fragrance in products to help boost floral scents.

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Adipic Acid is an organic dicarboxylic acid. It is used for pH adjustment and masking.

We don't have a description for Fomes Officinalis Extract.

This ingredient comes from the stem of the Prickly Pear cactus. The stem is rich in polyphenols, a potent source of antioxidants. It is anti-aging and soothing properties.

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, such as lactic acid.

We don't have a description for Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract.

Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

We don't have a description for Pentasodium Pentetate.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Another popular name for this ingredient is Synovea HR. This ingredient is a skin lightener and antioxidant.

Quercetin is an antioxidant.

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.

We don't have a description for Isopropyl Jojobate.

We don't have a description for Jojoba Alcohol.

Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.

Octoxynol-9 are part of a group called ethoxylated alkyl phenols. Octoxynols are usually found in hair-coloring products.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract comes from the cucumber. Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.

Prunus Persica Fruit Extract comes from peaches.

Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract comes from the cranberry fruit. Vaccinium Macrocarpon is the North American species of cranberries native to eastern Canada.

Lavandula Angustifolia Extract comes from the lavender flower. Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract comes from the bergamot orange.

We don't have a description for Rose Extract.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

We don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract.

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.

Triethyl Citrate is a fragrance.

Fucus Vesiculosus Extract is derived from a type of brown algae.

Jasmine flower extract is a fragrance. The flower also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract comes from the vanilla orchid native to central America. It is a skin-soothing ingredient.

We don't have a description for Coriandrum Sativum Seed Extract.

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.