What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Annona Cherimola Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata Seed Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Lactobacillus, Sodium Benzoate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Annona Cherimola Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Sodium Citrate, Acer Saccharum Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Powder, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Oenothera Biennis Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Urea
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitronellol
Perfuming
Hexamethylindanopyran
Masking
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 AcidGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
