What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tapioca Starch
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Water, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tapioca Starch, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylamide
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ferulic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylamide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
