This acne moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Arginine
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Magnolia Grandiflora Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Betaine, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Zinc PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bakuchiol, Magnolia Grandiflora Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Squalane
Emollient
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-25
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, C15-19 Alkane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Chlorphenesin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Potassium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Ceteareth-25, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, BHT, Lactobacillus, Pantolactone, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ethylhexylglycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
