What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientUrea
Buffering
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Cera Alba
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Urea, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Cera Alba, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Stearates
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lanolin Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Cetyl Palmitate, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Stearates, Phenoxyethanol, Lanolin Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
