This acne serum is formulated around Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract 32.3%
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingInulin
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentGlucose
HumectantFructose
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrideceth-10
CleansingDextrin
AbsorbentCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Centella Asiatica Extract 32.3%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Beta-Glucan, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dipropylene Glycol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Citrate, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Cellulose Gum, Disodium EDTA, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Inulin, Cellulose, Glucose, Fructose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trideceth-10, Dextrin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Caramel
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EDTAGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. 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