What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLimonene
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sebacic Acid
BufferingSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Limonene, Allantoin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Citric Acid, Sebacic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sorbic Acid
Alternatives
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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
