What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
Abrasive
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Oxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Decyl Glucoside, Myristyl Nicotinate, Diamond Powder, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Oxide, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Tristearate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Acetate
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingProtease
Exfoliating
Lipase
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin, Silica, Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Tristearate, Lactic Acid, CI 77891, Synthetic Beeswax, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Phospholipids, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cellulose Acetate, Boron Nitride, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Protease, Lipase, Gold, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Parfum, CI 15510, CI 19140, Tocopherol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Lactic 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 AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
