What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMannose
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Mannose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, T-Butyl Alcohol
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 AcidSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
