What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glutathione
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Propanediol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glutathione, Hyaluronic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Carbomer, Glycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-60
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fiber
Abrasive
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Disodium EDTA
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentWater, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pyrus Malus Fiber, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Decyl Glucoside, Triethylhexanoin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin
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
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 GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinWater. 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
