What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingMyristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Betaine, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Potassium Phosphate, Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Dipotassium Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Bisabolol, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
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 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 Tocopherol
