What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Citric Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tromethamine
BufferingBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Benzyl Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, Betaine, Tranexamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Pantothenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pyridoxine Hcl, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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 āglueā 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 (thatās 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 donāt 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 youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolWater. 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
