What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Mandelic Acid, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Ceramide NP, Salicylic Acid, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXylitol
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Rhamnose
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Water, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Glycerin, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Sodium Citrate, Xylitol, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Rhamnose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Fructooligosaccharides, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 AcidMannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 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
