What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Panthenol, Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Glycerin, Caffeine, Betaine, Allantoin, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-14 Alketh-12
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Milk Protein Extract
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyquaternium-51, Disodium EDTA, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Milk Protein Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Glutathione, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
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.
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 preservatives
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.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinWater. 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
