What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIsochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, Caffeine, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Mel Extract
MoisturisingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Piroctone Olamine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Linalool, Polysorbate 20, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Mel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
