What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Lecithin
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCitronellol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrochloric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Linalool
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantNiacin
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Titanium Dioxide, Lecithin, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alcohol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Azelaic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Citronellol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Laureth-7, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mica, Niacin, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Potassium Sorbate, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate, Silybum Marianum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Tranexamic Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
