What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCentipeda Cunninghamii Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Salix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Inulin, Sodium Lactate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract, Citrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Citrate, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantSodium Chloride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract
PerfumingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingDextrin
AbsorbentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningMentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Dextrin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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 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 GlycerinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water