What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Betaine
Humectant
Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingPotassium Lactate
BufferingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Potassium Lactate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Linalool, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
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 AcidDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
