Unleashia 2-Step Zero Pore Overnight Bubble Serum Mask Versus Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
This pore-care overnight mask is formulated around Lactic Acid and Niacinamide to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
ChelatingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingEctoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingButylene Glycol
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Lactic Acid, Tromethamine, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Tripropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc PCA, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Ectoin, Ceramide NP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Pullulan, Polyglycerin-3, Methyl Gluceth-20, Methyl Gluceth-10, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, Beta-Glucan, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Cota Tinctoria Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract 33%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingEctoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-67
Houttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialUlmus Fulva Bark Extract
MoisturisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantQuercetin
AntioxidantCota Tinctoria Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract 33%, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-67, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Ulmus Fulva Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Quercetin
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
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 GlycolEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
The chemical name for this ingredient is Tetrahydromethylpyrimidine Carboxylic Acid.
Learn more about EctoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract yet.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolThis ingredient comes from the Kudzu root.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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