What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol, Water, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Phytosphingosine, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCalcium Chloride
AstringentMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingNymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Maris Sal, Magnesium Sulfate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Linalool, CI 17200, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidWater. 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