SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum
Updated on April 28, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum 76 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum 76 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Lactate
Buffering7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingZea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Glycereth-26, Acetyl Glucosamine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactis Proteinum, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Lactate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Zea Mays Oil, Sodium PCA, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Beta-Carotene, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Panthenol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Glycine, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPotassium 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 SorbatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 27 ingredients
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum 76 ingredients
