What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isododecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Arachidyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Eugenol
Perfuming
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Eremophila Longifolia Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Acuminatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingQuartz
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMalic Acid
Buffering
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Stearate, Eugenol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Eremophila Longifolia Leaf Extract, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Extract, Santalum Acuminatum Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Quartz, Parfum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Malic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 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 AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
