What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Betaine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Trideceth-10
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSteareth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingFumaric Acid
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Cocamide Mea, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-10, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Trideceth-3, Fumaric Acid, Acetic Acid, CI 60730, CI 60725
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSoyamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingPolyquaternium-71
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Soyamidopropylamine Oxide, Polyquaternium-71, Maltodextrin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water