What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Triethyl Citrate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Olus Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glycerin, Olus Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Betaine, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Acer Saccharum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
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 AcidCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractCitrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
