What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Lactic Acid, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningSalvianolic Acid B
Skin ConditioningWater, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Panthenol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Citrate, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pantothenic Acid, Salvianolic Acid B
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 PropanediolSodium 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
