What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSilanetriol
Citric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeGlucose
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Glucose, Sodium Hydroxide, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantHydrolyzed Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgin
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic 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.
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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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