What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 17%
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid 17%, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Phytosterols, Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Angelica Dahurica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingThuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Juglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Glyoxal
Antimicrobial
Sodium Nitrate
SoothingWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Urea, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-51, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Glyoxal, Sodium Nitrate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Butylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 āglueā 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 (thatās 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 donāt 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 youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
