What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Glycolic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Water, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Maltodextrin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Silica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 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 AcidPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractWater. 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
