What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polylysine
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Azelaic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Polylysine, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Allantoin, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSqualane
Emollient
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Fructan
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Diglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Panthenol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Azelaic Acid, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Squalane, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAzelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
