What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCellulose Acetate
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Rhamnose
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lysine
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Citric Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Acetate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lysine, Azelaic Acid, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMenthol
Masking
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Chromium Hydroxide Green
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Kojic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Menthol, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Butylene Glycol
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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
