What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Pinene
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Water, Mandelic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phytate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Terpineol, Pinene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Beta-Caryophyllene
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Mandelic Acid, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Tapioca Starch, Isoamyl Laurate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Benzoate
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, itβs 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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
