What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Urea
Buffering
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Amodimethicone
Acrylates Copolymer
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Urea, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Amodimethicone, Acrylates Copolymer, Piroctone Olamine, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Piroctone Olamine, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Propylene Glycol, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Piroctone Olamine targets Malassezia, the fungus responsible for dandruff, which is why you'll find it in many anti-dandruff shampoos.
It's also water-soluble, so it blends easily into these formulas.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
