What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Poria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Dextrin
AbsorbentAlanine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Nicotinate
EmollientHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Lysine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Threonine
Serine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Valine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Honey Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Threonine, Serine, Proline, Glycine, Valine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Sodium PCA, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 5%
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMaltitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic 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.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
