This lactic acid cream cleanser is formulated around Lactic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.
This acne exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Benzalkonium Chloride, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 4%
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid 1%
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid 4%, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid 2%, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sodium Glycolate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Lactic Acid 1%, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Salicylate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.
This ingredient can be irritating in higher amounts and is related to Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
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 “glue” 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 don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re 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 skin’s 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 product’s 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 AcidThis ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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
