What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 17%
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDisodium 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
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantUrea
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingTartaric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAngelica Dahurica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingThuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeGlyoxal
AntimicrobialSodium 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 (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 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water