What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Rhamnose
HumectantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glucuronic Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Squalane, Sodium Chloride, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Rhamnose, Glucomannan, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucuronic Acid, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Geraniol, Limonene, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneWater. 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 Water
