What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glucose, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Caramel, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicArginine
Masking
PEG-32
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRose Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Faex Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Arginine, PEG-32, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Papain, Sorbic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rose Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycolic 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 AcidIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
