What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Malic Acid
Buffering
Vinegar
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingCochlearia Armoracia Root Extract
MaskingArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Serine
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tea-Lactate
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Chloride, Malic Acid, Vinegar, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Sulfur, Allantoin, Sodium Salicylate, Serine, Urea, Sorbitol, Tea-Lactate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-3, Acetyl Glutamine, Folic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
