What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Pulp Powder
Abrasive
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Perlite
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-45m
HumectantWater, Sorbitol, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lactobionic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Euterpe Oleracea Pulp Powder, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Perlite, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-45m
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 EDTAMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, itβs important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
