What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingNonoxynol-14
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
PEG-35 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Carbonate, Nonoxynol-14, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ammonium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Acer Saccharum Extract, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc PCA
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 is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGlycerin 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 āglueā 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 (thatās 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 donāt 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 youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterWater. 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
