What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCapryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Papain
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citric Acid, Papain, Bromelain, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Gluconate, Glyceryl Oleate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Tapioca Starch
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ximenia Americana Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Coconut Alkanes, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tapioca Starch, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Quercetin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycolic 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 âglueâ 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 (thatâs 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 donât 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 youâre highly sensitive, itâs well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidLactic 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 AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances 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
