What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCape Aloe
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Azulene
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ergocalciferol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cape Aloe, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Methylcellulose, Phytic Acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polysorbate 80, Sodium PCA, Beta-Glucan, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Azulene, Pantothenic Acid, Panthenol, Ergocalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Phenoxyethanol
Niacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Glycolic Acid 5%
Buffering
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Bakuchiol 1%
Antimicrobial
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Manganese PCA
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Bacopa Monnieri Oil
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Niacinamide 5%, Glycolic Acid 5%, Salicylic Acid 2%, Bakuchiol 1%, Polyglycerin-6, Azelaic Acid, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Water, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Gluconate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bacopa Monnieri Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic 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 AcidGlycerin (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 AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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
