What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf
AbrasiveAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf, Allantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
SurfactantSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Isostearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningWater, Sorbitol, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactobacillus
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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