What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane
Preservative
PEG-10 Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/Oleate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane, PEG-10 Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethyl Glutamate, Methyl Glucose Caprate/Caprylate/Oleate, Propanediol, Sodium Citrate
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 Acid
