What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAnthocyanins
Cosmetic ColorantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningErythritol
Humectant
Carrageenan
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Anthocyanins, Phenethyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract, Erythritol, Carrageenan, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tartaric Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Malic Acid is an acid with both AHA and BHA properties, but is considered an AHA because its AHA properties are stronger.
It can be naturally found in unripe fruit and especially apples (its name from the latin word "malum", meaning apple!).
Like other AHAs, malic acid gently removes the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Though it’s considered milder and less potent than glycolic or lactic acid, it can help improve:
Due to its larger molecular structure, it penetrates the skin more slowly and is often used in combination with other AHAs to enhance their overall effectiveness.
Malic acid often plays a role in balancing a product’s pH and is usually included in small amounts (around 1-2%) as a supporting exfoliant.
As with all exfoliating acids, you should wear sunscreen daily when using malic acid to protect your newly resurfaced skin.
Fun fact: Malic acid is the compound responsible for the tart flavor of apples and other sour fruits.
While research on malic acid is limited compared to glycolic or lactic acid, it’s still a safe and mild exfoliant.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Malic Acid
