What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Betaine, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Hexapeptide-11, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingLactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Mandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Prunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPhytic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Salicylate
PreservativeVinegar
Propylene Glycol
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Gluconate, Triethanolamine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Mandelic Acid, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Salicylate, Vinegar, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone 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 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, itβs 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