Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion Versus Trader Joe's Vitamin C Firming Body Butter With Glycolic Acid
Updated on July 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe body lotions. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion 49 ingredients
Trader Joe's Vitamin C Firming Body Butter With Glycolic Acid 35 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion 49 ingredients
Trader Joe's Vitamin C Firming Body Butter With Glycolic Acid 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Tapioca Starch
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ximenia Americana Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Coconut Alkanes, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tapioca Starch, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Quercetin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
CleansingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 “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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion 49 ingredients
Trader Joe's Vitamin C Firming Body Butter With Glycolic Acid 35 ingredients
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Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion 49 ingredients
Trader Joe's Vitamin C Firming Body Butter With Glycolic Acid 35 ingredients
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