What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentAcrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingLaureth-21
CleansingCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Kaolin, Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Charcoal Powder, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-21, CI 77266
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCoffea Arabica Seedcake Extract
Glucose
HumectantTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrated Silica, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Niacinamide, Parfum, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Menthyl Lactate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Coffea Arabica Seedcake Extract, Glucose, Trideceth-9, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Caramel
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 AcidDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium 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 CitrateWater. 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