What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Twig Extract
AstringentBetaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Twig Extract, Betaine, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
