What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingZinc
Antioxidant
PCA
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Menthol
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide DEA, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Zinc, PCA, Saccharide Isomerate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Betaine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Menthol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, PEG-150 Distearate, Disodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Distearate, Glycolic Acid, Parfum, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Ceramide Ag, Oryza Sativa Cera, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propanediol, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic 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 AcidPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearateWater. 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
