This smoothing toner is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and balance excess oil.
This mild gel cleanser is mild enough to cleanse without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Urtica Dioica Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcetum
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Mandelic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acetum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Phenylpropanol, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Malic Acid
Buffering
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Lactyl Lactate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lactate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lactic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Lecithin, Malic Acid, Inulin, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
