What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Serum Albumin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Heptyl Undecylenate
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventLecithin
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Inositol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitamide Mea
Zizania Latifolia Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningRutin
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Serum Albumin, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglycerin-3, Tocopherol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Squalene, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Heptyl Undecylenate, C13-15 Alkane, Lecithin, Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Glycine, Fructose, Urea, Niacinamide, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Caprylyl Glycol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil, Glyceryl Laurate, Quercetin, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitamide Mea, Zizania Latifolia Stem Extract, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Rutin, Ergothioneine
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTea-Lactate
HumectantSerine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLycopene
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Lactate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Carbomer, Tea-Lactate, Serine, Lactic Acid, Urea, Allantoin, Retinyl Propionate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Xanthan Gum, Lycopene, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Glucose, Corn Starch Modified, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Benzoate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Lactic 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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
