What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Kojic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aroma
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Silica, Mica, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, Aroma, CI 77491, CI 77891
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 Acid
