What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 PCA
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Betaine, Pantolactone, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 PCA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sodium Surfactin, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Arginine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Trigonella Foenum Symbiosome Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propanediol, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Trigonella Foenum Symbiosome Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineLactic 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 âglueâ 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 donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre 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 skinâs 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 productâs 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 AcidWater. 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
