This pore-care serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Lactic Acid to refine the look of pores and clear breakouts.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Betaine, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Methylpropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Methylpropanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Fructooligosaccharides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer Saccharum Extract, Beta-Glucan, Polysorbate 60, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic 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 “glue” 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 don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re 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 skin’s 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 product’s 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 AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
