What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Levulinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Succinoglycan, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide
Alternatives
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 Acid
