What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Glycolate
BufferingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Polysorbate 20, Cellulose Gum, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Coconut Acid, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Alpha-Arbutin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Sodium Glycolate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Glycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Triethanolamine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, PEG-150 Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Benzalkonium Chloride, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin 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 GlycerinMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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