What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Monococcum Stem Water
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Azelaic Acid, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Monococcum Stem Water, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium Gum, Lysolecithin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bisabolol, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Triethanolamine
BufferingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Soybean Peroxidase
Antioxidant
Magnesium Chloride
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Cholesterol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLeuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Urea, Triethanolamine, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium PCA, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Soybean Peroxidase, Magnesium Chloride, Diazolidinyl Urea, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer
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 GlycolCitric 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 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPropanediol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
