What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
CleansingSodium PCA
Humectant
Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium PCA, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Phospholipids, Santalum Album Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Sulfone
Solvent
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Water
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Origanum Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethyl Sulfone, Jojoba Esters, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamide Mipa, Carrageenan, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycolic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Origanum Vulgare Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycolic 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
