This brightening treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbyl Glucoside to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Glycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 16035, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
