What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Colloidal Gold
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Water, Niacinamide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sorbitol, Alcohol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Colloidal Gold, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Isoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ergothioneine, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Heptapeptide-6, Tocotrienols, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Glycerin, Isoceteth-20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
