This smoothing serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cetrimonium Bromide
Antimicrobial
Dilauryl Citrate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polyglycerin-6, Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Azelaic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Carbomer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Bisabolol, Inulin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Gluconolactone, Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Sodium Benzoate, Cetrimonium Bromide, Dilauryl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
