What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingArbutin
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMalachite Extract
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Distearate
EmollientWater, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Disodium Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Arbutin, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Malachite Extract, Arginine, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Fructooligosaccharides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Distearate
Lactobacillus/Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSuccinic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-2
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosterols, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Gluconolactone, Succinic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-2, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Water
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 AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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