What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Gum
Masking
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Coconut Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Citral, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Trehalose
Humectant
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlutathione
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Oxidized Glutathione
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Silica, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Calcium Silicate, Ethyl Oleate, Niacinamide, Water, Glycolic Acid, CI 77220, Mandelic Acid, Trehalose, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glutathione, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Oxidized Glutathione, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycolic 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 āglueā 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 (thatās 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 donāt 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 youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
