What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCyclodextrin
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Buteth-3
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberTributyl Citrate
SolventPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lecithin, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Buteth-3, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Tributyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAWater. 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
