This smoothing exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Betaine Salicylate and Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
This acne toner pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Gluconolactone and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Gluconolactone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betula Alba Juice, Maltodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventEupenicillium Crustaceum Ferment Lysate Extract Filtrate
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningProtease
Exfoliating
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Chelating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Eupenicillium Crustaceum Ferment Lysate Extract Filtrate, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Protease, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin (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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSodium 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
