What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Behenyl Betaine
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Luffa Cylindrica Fruit
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-32
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Behenyl Betaine, PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, PEG-32, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, BHT, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Papain
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCarrageenan
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 18820
Cosmetic Colorant
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 AcidChances 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 ChlorideSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
