What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantWater, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acer Saccharum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMenthol
MaskingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycogen
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlutathione
Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialSorbitol
HumectantPEG-8
Humectant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextran
Water, Alcohol, Propanediol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Glycerin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glycogen, Sodium PCA, Succinic Acid, Glutathione, Tripeptide-1, Colloidal Gold, Sorbitol, PEG-8, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dextran
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Acer Saccharum Extract yet.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractCitrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractDisodium 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractSalicylic 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 AcidVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract comes from the bilberry plant. This plant is native to Eurasia.
Bilberry contains antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Fighting off these molecules can help reduce signs of aging.
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract also helps reduce irritation.
Learn more about Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit 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 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