What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearate
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Oleth-20
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Lactate
BufferingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Stearate, Xylitol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Oleth-20, Glycerin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Diheptyl Succinate, Sodium PCA, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthyl Lactate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 75470, CI 77891, Mica
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicLactic Acid
Buffering
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantGlutathione
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acetyl Cysteine
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Lecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Gold, Glutathione, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acetyl Cysteine, Sodium Sulfite, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Pullulan, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate
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 AcidLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidLactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.
Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient offers promising benefits, but it is relatively new and more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy. The manufacturer claims this ingredient:
A study from 2022 found this ingredient helped protect skin against damaged from UV exposure (though this should not replace your sunscreen!).
The lysate in the ingredient name refers to a fluid that forms from breaking down the cell membrane.
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment LysatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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
