What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantLactobionic Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingArginine
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingZea Mays Kernel Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningKaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGlucose
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Panthenol, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Fructan, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Glucose
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAWater. 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