What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentTapioca Starch
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Trehalose
Humectant
Pullulan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingLipase
Skin ConditioningProtease
Exfoliating
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Distarch Phosphate, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Silica, Trehalose, Pullulan, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Maltodextrin, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Lipase, Protease, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Charcoal Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Algin
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melothria Scabra Seed Extract
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Algin, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melothria Scabra Seed Extract, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract, Caffeine, Lecithin, Trehalose, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Reviews
Alternatives
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 AcidSodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
