What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientKaolin
Abrasive
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Bacillus Ferment, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caffeine, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Kaolin, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Levulinic Acid, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Extract
AstringentFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Sus Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingOxido Reductases
Skin ConditioningElastin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ursolic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Pisum Sativum Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Sus Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Oxido Reductases, Elastin, Alpha-Arbutin, Ursolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid
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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Propanediol
