Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out Versus DRMTLGY L. A. Refining Serum
Updated on May 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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, silicones or sulfates
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
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
DRMTLGY L. A. Refining Serum 33 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
DRMTLGY L. A. Refining Serum 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Galactoarabinan
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Galactoarabinan, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeheneth-5
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
C15-23 Alkane
SolventWater, Lactic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Beheneth-5, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, C15-23 Alkane
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract comes from the cactus known as Prickly Pear. Prickly Pear extract has soothing and antioxidant properties.
The flavonoids in prickly pear help reduce inflammation. Prickly pear is also rich in polyphenols, a potent antioxidant.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract yet.
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSodium 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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When to use
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
DRMTLGY L. A. Refining Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
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