What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Cyanocobalamin, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Amylopectin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Bisabolol, Amylopectin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Glycolic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Pearl Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Alcohol
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidSalicylic 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
