What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Potassium Myristate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Mannitol
Humectant
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Protease
Exfoliating
Zea Mays Starch, Potassium Myristate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Mannitol, Papain, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bromelain, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder, Gluconolactone, Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Protease
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Diglycerin
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Protease
Exfoliating
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Bromelain, Papain, Protease, Maltodextrin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple stem. It gently exfoliates by by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface.
By faciliating the removal of dead skin cells from the outermost layer of skin, it helps with enhancing skin firmness, hydration, and texture.
Besides exfoliation, it also has anti-inflammatory properties by blocking the inflammation signaling pathways.
It is considered gentler than traditional AHAs or physical scrubs and is a great option for sensitive skin. At this time, most of the clinical trial data on enzyme exfoliants is still limited and further in vivo research is needed.
Typical concentrations for this ingredient range between 0.1-5%.
Bromelain's use in cosmetic formulations has been limited by its sensitivity to pH and temperature (it maintains best stability at pH 5.0). This means how effective is it in a finished product can vary depending on how well the formula is designed.
Learn more about BromelainGluconolactone 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 GluconolactonePapain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from unripe papaya fruit. It is a gentle exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells from your outermost layer of skin.
Basically, papain works by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface. This also promotes cell turnover and smooths texture.
Unlike other exfoliants, papain can work without causing significant irritation.
Beyond exfoliation, its proteolytic action also helps soothe irritated skin and supports the healing of minor wounds.
A 2024 in vivo/in vitro study confirmed its potential to suppress skin inflammation and improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic dermatitis models.
Just one thing worth noting: there are reports of allergic responses in individuals with a papaya or latex sensitivity. Be sure to patch test if you're in this camp.
Learn more about PapainProtease is an enzyme that works as a gentle exfoliant by mimicking something your skin already does naturally.
Your skin uses proteolytic enzymes to carry out desquamation; this is the process of shedding dead skin cells from the stratum corneum.
In skincare, proteases act as biological catalysts that mimic this natural desquamation process. You can think of it as giving your skin's own renewal system a nudge.
By breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, proteases help accelerate cell turnover to:
One reason they're becoming a popular AHA alternative is because proteases are considered effective while also being well-tolerated on skin. Because they work at a protein level rather than by lowering the skin pH, they can be a good option for those sensitive to AHAs.
Available in vitro and in vivo studies show positive exfoliant results but clinical (human) trials specifically on enzymatic exfoliation are still limited at this time.
Just one thing worth noting: temperature, pH, and stabilization are important factors that affect enzyme activity. The formulation quality definitely matters with this ingredient.
This ingredient can be either microbial sourced or plant-derived (papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple).
Learn more about ProteaseWater. 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 WaterZea Mays Starch is starch made from corn. You might know this as cornstarch . It is used to thicken a product. It can replace talc as an absorbent.
The pH of cornstarch is 5.92.
Cornstarch is a common food ingredient used to thicken soups or to make corn syrup.
Learn more about Zea Mays Starch
