What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Lactitol
HumectantPotassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingHexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingInulin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sorbitol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactitol, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hexamidine Diisethionate, Panthenol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Cellulose Gum, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
