What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Vinegar
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFagara Zanthoxyloides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Decyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Vinegar, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Fagara Zanthoxyloides Fruit Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower, Melia Azadirachta Leaf, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Algin
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSpirulina Maxima Powder
Antioxidant
Vinegar
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Algin, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium PCA, Menthol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Spirulina Maxima Powder, Vinegar, Mentha Piperita Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycolic 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 âglueâ 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 (thatâs 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 donât 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 youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidLactic 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 AcidMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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, itâs 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 AcidIn cosmetics, vinegar is often used to help adjust the pH of a product. It is also a light exfoliant. The pH of your skin is important to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Vinegar is created by the process of double-fermentation. It is an aqueous solution consisting mostly of water and acetic acid. Typically, vinegar contains anywhere from 5-8% acetic acid.
Other components include small amounts of contains small amounts of tartaric acid and citric acid. Depending on what is used to ferment the vinegar, it can have traces of flavoring as well.
Learn more about VinegarWater. 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
