What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Methylpropanediol
SolventDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Polysorbate 20, Methylpropanediol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Niacinamide, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenylpropanol, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDisteareth-75 Ipdi
Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Farnesol
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Farnesol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidMandelic 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, itβs 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 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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
