What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Succinic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Isopentyldiol, Squalane, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Xanthan Gum, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel
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 AcidMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, itβs important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic 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 HydroxideSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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
