What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Coceth-7
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingFullerenes
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Ferulic Acid, Coceth-7, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Fullerenes, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pvp, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingN-Vinyl Pyrrolidone
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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
