What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Urea
Buffering
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Urea, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
PEG-75
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSciadopitys Verticillata Root Extract
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, PEG-75, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylic Acid, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Charcoal Powder, Glycolic Acid, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sciadopitys Verticillata Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateGlycolic 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 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
