What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 PCA
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Betaine, Pantolactone, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 PCA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sodium Surfactin, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
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 AcidWater. 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
