What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
Antioxidant
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 184
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Rheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract
Antioxidant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Poloxamer 184, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Water, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Betaine, Arginine, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
