What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Trideceth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Poloxamer 184, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, CI 42090, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Paraffinum Liquidum, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Poloxamer 184
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Poloxamer 184, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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 AcidDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizatePoloxamer 184 is a surfactant and emulsifier made from polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units.
It allows ingredients that don't normally mix (like water and oil) to blend together and stay stable; this makes it easier for cleansers and makeup removers to grab onto dirt, oil, and makeup to be rinsed away more easily.
Sodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water