What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGalactoarabinan
Propanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Galactoarabinan, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Ethyl Ester
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Glycerin
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cetearyl Olivate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butter Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Shea Butterate
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAroma
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Water, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Galactoarabinan, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Butter Glycerides, Isopropyl Shea Butterate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citric Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sclerotium Gum, Aroma, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77491, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis ingredient is also known as arabinogalactan. It is a polysaccharide extracted from North American larch trees. It is a film-forming agent that helps enhance skin hydration and improves the texture of products.
Once applied, galactoarabinan forms a lightweight and breathable film on the skin. This helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) without adding a greasy finish.
It is also used to boost the efficacy of exfoliating actives like AHAs by improving skin feel and reducing irritation potential.
Studies show this ingredient supports hydration through two actions:
1) Limiting water evaporation
2) Enhancing the spreadability of emulsion products to disperse humectants and emollients across the skin's surface
Additionally, galactoarabinan can improve makeup wear and reduce "tightness" after cleansing.
Learn more about GalactoarabinanGlycerin 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 AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
