What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingBetaine
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Salicylate
PreservativePolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ceramide NP, Biotin, Phytosterols, Inositol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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