What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sucrose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Sucrose, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bromelain, Papain, Lactic Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Glycerin
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningCellulose Acetate
Volcanic Sand
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Glycerin, Pvp, Water, Cellulose Acetate, Volcanic Sand, Sodium Chloride, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Kaolin, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Bisabolol, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This extract comes from the pineapple fruit. Its main claim to fame is bromelain, a gentle exfoliator that helps remove dead skin cells from the outermost layer of skin.
Exfoliation from bromelain is considered a gentler alternative to physical or chemical exfoliants; this makes it suitable for sensitive skin types.
Beyond exfoliation, this extract also contains natural sugars with humectant properties and some vitamin C.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated and low-risk ingredient unless you have a pineapple allergy.
Learn more about Ananas Sativus Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic 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 âglueâ 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 donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre 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 skinâs 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 productâs 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 AcidLactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.
Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient offers promising benefits, but it is relatively new and more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy. The manufacturer claims this ingredient:
A study from 2022 found this ingredient helped protect skin against damaged from UV exposure (though this should not replace your sunscreen!).
The lysate in the ingredient name refers to a fluid that forms from breaking down the cell membrane.
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment LysateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
