What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingWine Extract
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientXylitol
HumectantTartaric Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingVitis Vinifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingRose Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCollagen
MoisturisingSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArginine
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglycerin-3, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salicylic Acid, Wine Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Xylitol, Tartaric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycolic Acid, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phospholipids, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Collagen, Soluble Proteoglycan, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Resveratrol, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Propanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Phytosterols, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantGuaiazulene
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingZanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Arginine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Guaiazulene, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract comes from grapes.
Grape extract has many skin benefits. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Antioxidants help protect skin. Proanthocyanidin have also been shown to help even out skin tone.
Grape extract also helps soothe and hydrate your skin.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Fruit 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water