What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ceteareth-25
CleansingPolyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMalic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Sap Extract
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arginine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Ceteareth-25, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Sap Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylamide
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Carbonate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Polysilicone-11, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Polyacrylamide, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractCitrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateLactic 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract comes from the bilberry plant. This plant is native to Eurasia.
Bilberry contains antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Fighting off these molecules can help reduce signs of aging.
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract also helps reduce irritation.
Learn more about Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit ExtractWater. 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
