What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentRetinol
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientCeteareth-25
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Retinal, Phospholipids, Astaxanthin, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cyclodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Silica
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 AcidSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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