What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingEtidronic Acid
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingLemongrass Oil
Cinnamomum Cassia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Trisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tripropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide NP, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Etidronic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningPEG-2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHoney
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPolysorbate 61
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantMalic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, PEG-2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Triethylhexanoin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Honey, Soluble Collagen, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 61, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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 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