What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Citrate
BufferingCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCamphor
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning4-Terpineol
MaskingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Salicylic Acid
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sodium Citrate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Octyldodeceth-16, Allantoin, Sarcosine, Ceramide NP, Camphor, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, 4-Terpineol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Juice
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlternatives
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 Acid