What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acetamide Mea
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acetamide Mea, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methyl Nicotinate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, PEG-23m, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Biotin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Silica, Citric Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Faex Extract, Propylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, BHT
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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
