What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Erythrulose
TanningC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Isobutyl Acetate
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dihydroxyacetone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Erythrulose, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Laureth-7, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Isobutyl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dihydroxyacetone, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
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 AcidDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
