What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trehalose, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysilicone-11
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Silica
Abrasive
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-12
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Cera
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Polysilicone-11, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Lactobionic Acid, Silica, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Triheptanoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Laureth-12, Propanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Cera
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateWater. 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
