This smoothing exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Gluconolactone and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium 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
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMilk Protein Extract
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantGlutathione
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingWater, 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone 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 (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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water