What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPolyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid
Vinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-28
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Polyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid, Vinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-28, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Mica, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey
Propanediol
Solvent
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sucrose, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Levulinate, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Sodium Gluconate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Limonene
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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
