What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Azelaic Acid 5%
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Tricaprin
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sterculia Africana Seed Oil
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Dihexyldecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUplevity Solution
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingBenzotriazole
AntimicrobialNiacinamide Hydroxycitrate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate
SurfactantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Glycol
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid 5%, Salicylic Acid, Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tricaprin, Lecithin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Silica, Sterculia Africana Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Dihexyldecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Uplevity Solution, Potassium Phosphate, Benzotriazole, Niacinamide Hydroxycitrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-9, Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Riboflavin, Beta-Carotene, Inositol, Thiamine Hcl, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin
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
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 AcidButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
