What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Linum Alpinum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Rhamnose
HumectantGlucuronic Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Water, Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Levulinic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Levulinate, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Bioflavonoids, Citric Acid, Rhamnose, Glucuronic Acid, Glucose
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 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 GlycerinLevulinic Acid is a fragrance that comes from the degradation of cellulose. It is a saturated fatty acid.
This ingredient is often used a building block for other compounds, such as in pharmaceuticals.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient smells like caramel.
Learn more about Levulinic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
It is a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps soften and hydrate your skin.
According to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the highest amounts of sodium levulinate are found in mouthwashes at 0.62%.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateWater. 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
