What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Arbutin
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citric Acid
Buffering
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentWater, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ascorbic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, DMDM Hydantoin, Parfum, Arbutin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHylocereus Undatus Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Officinalis Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Powder
Antioxidant
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Hylocereus Undatus Extract, Pyrus Malus Pulp Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Callus Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Powder, Charcoal Powder, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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 Water
