What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Carnitine
CleansingGlycine
Buffering
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Dimethicone, Sucrose, Pentylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Saccharide Isomerate, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adenosine, Collagen Amino Acids, Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Carnitine, Glycine, Carnitine Hcl, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Ammonium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventRicinoleth-40
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic 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 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.
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
