What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Propanediol, Carbomer, Arginine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Milk Protein, Inositol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycolic Acid, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trehalose
Humectant
Steareth-20
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20
HumectantWater, Sorbitol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Steareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Bacillus Ferment, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Phospholipids, PEG-20
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic 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 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.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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
