What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolic Acid 70%
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-9 Oliveate
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Paraffin
Perfuming
Allantoin, BHT, BHA, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid 70%, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arbutin, PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-9 Oliveate, Morus Alba Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Paraffin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 “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 Acid
