What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Glycolate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Glycolate, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, CI 77289
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Decyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycolic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Citric Acid, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-30, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sodium PCA, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlycolic 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 AcidThis ingredient is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, the famous anti-acne ingredient.
Officially, this ingredient is used as a preservative. However, some studies found Sodium Salicylate to have exfoliating properties. Further studies are needed.
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 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
