This acne serum is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to refine skin texture and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingLonicera Caprifolium Extract
AstringentCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Mandelic Acid, Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Beta-Glucan, Lactic Acid, Retinal, Sodium Gluconate, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lonicera Japonica Callus Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhytic Acid
Sucrose
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Carbomer, Beta-Glucan, Saccharide Isomerate, Phytic Acid, Sucrose, Asiaticoside, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWater. 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