By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water Versus Serious Skincare Glycolic Cleanser
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 22 ingredients
Serious Skincare Glycolic Cleanser 17 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 22 ingredients
Serious Skincare Glycolic Cleanser 17 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
2 Benefits 2 Concerns
Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Sorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Dimethyl Sulfone is an organic compound that naturally contains sulfur. It is used as a solvent due to its stability. Solvents help mix and stabilize other ingredients.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Natto Gum is created by fermenting a soy protein using Bacillus natto (a bacteria). It is used as a texture enhancer.
Water, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chlorphenesin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Arginine, Sodium Citrate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Natto Gum
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.
2 Concerns
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be bad for dry skin and cause irritation.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.
7 Benefits 2 Concerns
Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Glycol Stearate comes from stearic acid and ethylene glycol.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
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.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
3 Concerns
Imidazolidinyl Urea is a preservative and isn't fungal acne safe. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.
Paraben 2 Concerns
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Paraben 2 Concerns
Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 22 ingredients
Serious Skincare Glycolic Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
By WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 22 ingredients
Butter
Broke me out. It doesn't happen to me often but this product gave me terrible whiteheads. Really disappointed looked like a good AHA product, but...
Broke me out. It doesn't happen to me often but this product gave me terrible whiteheads. Really disappointed looked like a good AHA product, but nope my skin had other ideas. I'm not 100% sure which ingredient caused it but I'll probably be more wary of these ingredients from now on.
helldoll
Mixed feelings
Don't get me wrong, I really like it! It has beta-glucan, natto gum, and hylauronic acid which is hydrating enough meaning it wont...
Mixed feelings
Don't get me wrong, I really like it! It has beta-glucan, natto gum, and hylauronic acid which is hydrating enough meaning it wont peel while the AHA exfoliates. it doesn't make my skin peel like cosrx or paula's choice exfoliators but it does sting and tingle a bit. keep in mind i am a tazarotene (retinoid) user, so that may be why... but I never used them together, obviously. my skin is also quite sensitive but it does irritate my skin for a bit. mine also had a bit of granuals in it for some reason... weird but ya. also mine expired quickly, and it started smelling like rotten eggs. I did notice that this does help with skin texture, especially if you get closed comedones in specific areas of your face! honestly, it's quite mid. if you wanna try it, get the 30 ml and it will last you a while (if you use it 2-3 times a week)
