What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveHypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeWater, Glycolic Acid, Malic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 80, Parfum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water