What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-39
Butylene Glycol
HumectantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Coco-Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Triethanolamine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-39, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Glycolic Acid, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Faex Extract, Niacinamide, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Methylparaben, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caffeine, Propylparaben, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lactate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Chlorphenesin, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, CI 19140, Decylene Glycol, CI 16035, 1,2-Hexanediol
Reviews
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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPeg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.
It is a synthetic polymer with emulsifying and cleansing properties.
As an emulsifier, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate prevents ingredients such as oils and water from separating. It also helps rinse away oils, dirt, and pollutants from skin.
Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also dry out skin.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 Water