What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTrehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Algin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Algin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Sulfate, CI 19140, CI 17200, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingPolylysine
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Zinc PCA, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Polylysine, Tocopherol
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 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
