What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Algae Extract
EmollientArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Parfum, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Algae Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Gluconate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Algae Extract
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Nylon-12
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Algae Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Nylon-12, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Algae Extract is a confusing name. This is because algae is an informal term for a group of 30,000 aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize.
The term 'algae extract' can refer to any one, or a blend of, the 30,000 types.
Algae is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Algae can also help with soothing and hydrating skin.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Algae ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycolic 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 AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
