What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77713
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Polylactic Acid, Coco-Caprylate, Lactic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, CI 19140, CI 73360, CI 77713, Butylene Glycol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidSodium 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 Water
