What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentapeptide-59
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Gluconolactone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Betaine, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Pentapeptide-59, Maltodextrin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin Conditioning
Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Phenyl T-Butylnitrone
Antioxidant
Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Dextran
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Succinate
MaskingAcetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Glutamic Acid, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone, Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitol, Dextran, Sodium Gluconate, Disodium Succinate, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic 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.
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 HydroxideWater. 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
