This glycolic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Shell Powder
Abrasive
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Tromethamine
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-7
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Powder
Abrasive
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Shell Powder, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Tromethamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Sodium Phytate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Powder, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Decyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium DNA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Centella Asiatica Extract 41%
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentGlucose
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract 41%, Water, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Niacinamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Glucose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate is an amino acid-based surfactant and cleaning agent. This ingredient can be derived from animals or plants. It may also be synthetically created from fatty acids of the coconut and glycine.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is a gentle surfactant. Surfactants help gather the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away. It is a mild cleanser and naturally produces foam.
Prunus Mume extract comes from the Asian plum. This plum is AKA 'plum blossom'. Plum blossom has hydrating and antibacterial properties.
Plum Blossoms are rich in nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C.
A study from 2021 found this ingredient to inhibit melanin production. An animal study found plum blossom to help increase collagen production.
Learn more about Prunus Mume Fruit ExtractPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
