What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xylitol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Glycolic Acid, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Fructose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xylitylglucoside, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethoxydiglycol, Anhydroxylitol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xylitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningPumice
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Bisabolol
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Pumice, Glycolic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Sodium Hydroxide, Jojoba Esters, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bisabolol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-21, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycolic 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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. 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
