What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
Humectant
Alanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Nymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAspartic Acid
Masking
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Squalane, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Tocotrienols, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tripeptide-1, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Adenosine, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Dextran, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glutamine, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Isomalt, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Aspartic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Sterols, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
Malic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Olivate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Undaria Pinnatifida Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Isoamyl Cocoate
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Gluconolactone, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bentonite, Malic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Undaria Pinnatifida Cell Culture Extract, Mandelic Acid, Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Magnesium Chloride, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Isoamyl Cocoate, Lysolecithin, Silica, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinLactic 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 AcidSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
