What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentC13-15 Alkane
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Sulfate
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, C13-15 Alkane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polyisobutene, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, CI 14700, CI 19140, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lactate
BufferingZingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Zinc PCA, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lactate, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Gluconate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
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
