What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Pullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantZinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycogen
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-71
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Lecithin
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Dimethicone, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Glycogen, Urea, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-71, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lactic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Zea Mays Starch, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Alternatives
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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
