What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningCistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Troxerutin, Cistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Maltodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDipotassium EDTA
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingValine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycine Soja Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium EDTA, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Valine, Glycine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitric 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 (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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