What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Lipids
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRibose
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingTaurine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Lipids, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caffeine, Sodium Phosphate, Adenosine, Ribose, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium Phosphate, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Taurine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Limonene, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHoney Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCallicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Oil
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingLavandula Oil/Extract
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Honey Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Ferulic Acid, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Citrate, Isostearic Acid, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitric 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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