What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAcetyl Hexapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Bud Extract
HumectantArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Water, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Propanediol, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-30, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Bud Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Limonene, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
