This barrier-repair ampoule is formulated around Niacinamide and Gluconolactone to strengthen the skin barrier.
This pore-care ampoule is formulated around Gluconolactone to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingGellan Gum
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSuccinic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Gellan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Lecithin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Succinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Xylitol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingVinegar
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPeumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLotus Corniculatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentLecithin
EmollientSuccinic Acid
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Xylitol, Tromethamine, Sucrose Palmitate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vinegar, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Erythritol, Adenosine, Ficus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Betaine Salicylate, Xanthan Gum, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Succinic Acid
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinThis ingredient comes from apples. It has antioxidant, moisturizing, and skin soothing benefits.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractSuccinic acid is an odorless white powder. It is naturally found in our bodies but can also be derived from living organisms.
Succinic acid is water-soluble. The pH level of this ingredient is between 4.2 and 5.6.
While succinic acid posesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, these properties have not been studied in skincare products.
Fun fact: Succinic acid was known as the 'spirit of amber' in the past. This is because it used to be derived from distilling amber.
Learn more about Succinic AcidTocopherol 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 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