What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
2-Methyl 5-Cyclohexylpentanol
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mandelic Acid, Triethyl Citrate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Salicylic Acid, 2-Methyl 5-Cyclohexylpentanol, Decylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Parfum, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Cera, Ceramide Ag, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
