What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cucurbita Pepo
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Honey
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentMyristica Fragrans Powder
MaskingCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Honey, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycolic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Myristica Fragrans Powder, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Water, Citrus Grandis Peel, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Jojoba Esters, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 AcidHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
