What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingUrea
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingDimethyl Mea
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Protease
Exfoliating
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Carnitine, Urea, Maltodextrin, Phosphatidylcholine, Dimethyl Mea, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Protease, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Copper Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Menthyl Lactate, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentProtease
Exfoliating
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Dextrin, Propanediol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Protease, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidThese enzymes break down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids. They also encourage the formation of new protein.
Our skin uses peptides, amino acids, and protein for maintaining healthy skin cells.
Protease work by breaking peptide bonds in protein with hydrolysis. This is the process of breaking bonds using water.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found a blend of 3-protease decreases skin inflammation by mitigating the effects of other proteins.
One manufacturer that uses subtilisin, a protease from Bacillus subtilis, claims this ingredient is exfoliating, promotes cell regeneration, and is a good substitute for AHAs. Further research is needed to back up these claims.
Fun fact: The human body contains ~641 protease genes.
Learn more about ProteaseWater. 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
