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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningArbutin
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Aminoethylphosphinic Acid
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Nonapeptide-1, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Carnosine, Lactobionic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Aminoethylphosphinic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Silica, Dextrin Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 Water
