What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctadecenedioic Acid
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHoney
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingBoswellia Serrata Gum
MaskingNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningRumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Glycolic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Honey, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Isostearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientVolcanic Ash Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSea Water
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Squalane, Volcanic Ash Extract, Trehalose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sea Water, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Ethyl Hexanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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