What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Ipomoea Batatas Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bixa Orellana Pulp Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Ipomoea Batatas Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Propanediol, Retinyl Palmitate, Copper Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Bixa Orellana Pulp Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingMenthyl Lactate
Masking
PEG-16 Soy Sterol
EmulsifyingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Steareth-21
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIngredients 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 AcidTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
