What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Urea, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Vegetable Oil, Allantoin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
