What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Coco-Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rosa Damascena Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Silica, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caramel, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidWater. 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