What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sulfur 5%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetum
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tall Oil Sterol
Emollient
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSulfur 5%, Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Acetum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alpha-Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tall Oil Sterol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, 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 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.
Water. 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
