What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCapryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Betaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Salicylic Acid, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlutathione
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCanavalia Gladiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCeratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantDipeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glutathione, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, Allantoin, Cyanocobalamin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Canavalia Gladiata Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Dipeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Dipeptide-4, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Chlorphenesin, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Arginine, Phytosterols, Carbomer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citric Acid
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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