What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPerlite
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Perlite, Sodium Gluconate, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lauryl Glucoside, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Coumarin, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
Sea Salt
AbrasiveSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingJasminum Sambac Flower
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingJasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingLauryl Betaine
CleansingLimonene
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantSea Salt, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Citrus Limon Juice, Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Jasminum Sambac Flower, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lactic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 45410
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneWater. 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