What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Azelate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSuccinic Acid
BufferingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMagnesium/Aluminum/Hydroxide/Carbonate
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Dipotassium Azelate, Glycolic Acid, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Succinic Acid, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Magnesium/Aluminum/Hydroxide/Carbonate, Azelaic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Laureth-7, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Menthol
Reviews
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 âglueâ 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 (thatâs 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 donât 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 youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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
