What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid 1%
Antimicrobial
Honey
Humectant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid 1%, Honey, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glucoside
CleansingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glucoside, Maltodextrin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 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.
Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
