What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ketoconazole 1%
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Hydrochloric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-71
HumectantCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPolyquaternium-80
CleansingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGrateloupia Elliptica Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Africana Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc Pyrithione
Antiseborrhoeic
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Emblica Officinalis Fruit
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
Masking
Niacin
SmoothingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingXylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-71, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Polyquaternium-80, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Grateloupia Elliptica Extract, Biotin, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Prunus Africana Bark Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Pyrithione, Soy Isoflavones, Beta-Sitosterol, Emblica Officinalis Fruit, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Niacin, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Citric Acid
Reviews
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric Acid
