What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycolic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCholeth-24
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Phytate
Madecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-800
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-45
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-8
HumectantSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Choleth-24, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Octyldodeceth-16, Panthenol, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Phytate, Madecassoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Glycerin, PEG-800, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-45, Sh-Polypeptide-8, Sh-Polypeptide-9
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol
EmollientPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientLecithin
EmollientGlucosamine Hcl
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLaureth-23
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Retinol, Glycerin, Mica, Octyldodecanol, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Glucosamine Hcl, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Urea, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Retinyl Palmitate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Propanediol, Laureth-4, Phenoxyethanol, Laureth-23, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-8, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Methylisothiazolinone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water