What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cellulose
Absorbent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Polysorbate 20, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentWater, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, C15-19 Alkane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Citric Acid, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Laureth-7, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
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 AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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
