What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Taraxacum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Medicago Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Verbascum Thapsus
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Acetum
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Muriella Aurantiaca/Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil
Skin Conditioning
Watanabea Reniformis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Argemone Mexicana Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Mirabilis Jalapa Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingPolianthes Tuberosa Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Root Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Leaf Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Verbascum Thapsus, Bacillus Ferment, Lactic Acid, Arginine, Acetum, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Maltodextrin, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Muriella Aurantiaca/Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil, Lecithin, Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil, Watanabea Reniformis Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Papain, Bromelain, Argemone Mexicana Callus Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Callus Extract, Polianthes Tuberosa Callus Extract, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Magnesium Chloride
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Prunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPhytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Vinegar
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Gluconate, Triethanolamine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Mandelic Acid, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Salicylate, Vinegar, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 “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 AcidMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePyrus 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 ExtractSodium 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 Benzoate
