What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Phytate
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Phytate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Coceth Sulfate
Cleansing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Adenosine, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Silybum Marianum Extract, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactic Acid
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Lactic 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 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
