What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Citrus Grandis Extract
AntimicrobialEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningSyringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBisabolol
Masking
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Glucose Oxidase
StabilisingGlucose Pentaacetate
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Xylitol
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Caprylyl 2-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Potassium Thiocyanate
StabilisingLactoferrin
Skin ConditioningLactoperoxidase
StabilisingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Urea, Lactobionic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citrus Grandis Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Biotin, Bisabolol, Anhydroxylitol, Glucose Oxidase, Glucose Pentaacetate, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-12, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Carnosine, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Caprylyl 2-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Thiocyanate, Lactoferrin, Lactoperoxidase, Isopropyl Alcohol, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, BHT, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCitronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mannitol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic 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.
Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
