This calming toner pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Niacinamide and Gluconolactone to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Octyldodeceth-16, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Gluconolactone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
