What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sodium Palmate
CleansingSodium Palm Kernelate
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningTerpineol
Masking
L-Alpha-Pinene
Perfuming
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
L-Beta-Pinene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Palm Acid
Cleansing
Palm Kernel Acid
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Water, Terpineol, L-Alpha-Pinene, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eugenol, L-Beta-Pinene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Parfum, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Palm Acid, Palm Kernel Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Gluconic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
Astringent
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Chloride
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Gluconic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Potassium Chloride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate is a surfactant and helps cleanse skin. It is created from the fatty acids of coconut oil.
Surfactants help rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants easily from skin. It has a faint fruit-like scent.
Glycolic 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 AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itâs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidChances 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
