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
EmollientVerbascum Thapsus
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Vinegar
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Nelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
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 ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningArgemone 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, Vinegar, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera 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 ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Malic Acid
Buffering
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract
MaskingQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Vinegar
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tea-Lactate
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Chloride, Malic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Serine, Sulfur, Vinegar, Sodium Salicylate, Sorbitol, Tea-Lactate, Urea, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulfite
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 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 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 AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium 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 BenzoateIn cosmetics, vinegar is often used to help adjust the pH of a product. It is also a light exfoliant. The pH of your skin is important to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Vinegar is created by the process of double-fermentation. It is an aqueous solution consisting mostly of water and acetic acid. Typically, vinegar contains anywhere from 5-8% acetic acid.
Other components include small amounts of contains small amounts of tartaric acid and citric acid. Depending on what is used to ferment the vinegar, it can have traces of flavoring as well.
Learn more about Vinegar
