What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingKojic Acid
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMelatonin
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Kojic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melatonin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Maleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientUrea
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantMaltose
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantPropanediol
SolventLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Trehalose, Isopropyl Myristate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Maleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Urea, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Beta-Glucan, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Propanediol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polysorbate 80, PEG-100 Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Gluconate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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