What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Polyacrylic Acid, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvp, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlpinia Speciosa Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
AntimicrobialPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Pvp, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glycerin, Alpinia Speciosa Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide AP, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, 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 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 PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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