What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Water, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ectoin, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Sodium Polyglutamate, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cola Nitida Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Koraiensis Seed Extract
Perfuming
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Cola Nitida Seed Extract, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycolic 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 AcidSodium 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
