What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMalic Acid
BufferingPyruvic Acid
MaskingTartaric Acid
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentMontmorillonite
AbsorbentOlivine Extract
Skin ConditioningIllite
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveIron Oxides
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Phytate
Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Squalane, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bentonite, Montmorillonite, Olivine Extract, Illite, Kaolin, Iron Oxides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Beta-Glucan, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
Reviews
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 AllantoinSalix 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