What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Azelate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Shikimic Acid
Skin ConditioningSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocophersolan
Antioxidant
1,2-Heptanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Ethylcellulose
Hectorite
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
BHA
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium Azelate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Alcohol Denat., Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Shikimic Acid, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Bioflavonoids, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tocophersolan, 1,2-Heptanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Ethylcellulose, Hectorite, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Poloxamer 338, Poloxamer 235, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, BHA, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Bentonite
Absorbent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Farnesol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Arginine, Niacinamide, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Ethoxydiglycol, Methylpropanediol, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Bentonite, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylpropanol, Maltodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Farnesol, Limonene, Eugenol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Salicylic 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
