What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningKojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Oryzanol, Kojic Dipalmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sclerotium Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Glycolipids
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Betaine, Anhydroxylitol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Tocopherol, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 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
