What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Acer Saccharum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucamine
HumectantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3
HumectantGlutathione
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Glucamine, Lactobacillus, Lactic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Mica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Glutathione, Astaxanthin, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Gluconate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 HydroxideWater. 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 Water
