This oil-control treatment is formulated around Silica and Gluconolactone to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This acne serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Zinc Sulfate to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
ChelatingNiacinamide
SmoothingUndecane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Silica, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Undecane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sarcosine, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentBisabolol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Alcohol Denat., Iris Florentina Root Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Propanediol, Alcohol, Parfum, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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