What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiutan Gum
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Carbomer, Mannitol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Diutan Gum, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Benzyl Glycol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Glycerin, CI 77891, Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Oxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Madecassoside, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
