Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Gelly EX Versus Wardah Acnederm Night Treatment Moisturizer
This brightening night moisturizer is formulated around Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract and Tranexamic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin.
This acne night moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Plantago Major Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Psyllium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Leaf Oil
Masking
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNephelium Longana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Caprylate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Garcinia Mangostana Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract
Antioxidant
Kalanchoe Gastonis-Bonnieri Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Daemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentZea Mays Kernel Extract
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Phosphate
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Water, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Hazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Chlorphenesin, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Plantago Psyllium Seed Extract, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Magnolol, Tranexamic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, Sucrose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Nephelium Longana Seed Extract, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Caprylate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Garcinia Mangostana Seed Oil, Arbutin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract, Kalanchoe Gastonis-Bonnieri Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Carnosine, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Atelocollagen, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ammonium Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Plankton Extract, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethanolamine
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glucose
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, C14-22 Alcohols, Triethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Capryloyl Glycine, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Sarcosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glucose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
