What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ethyl Oleate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, Lauryl Laurate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caramel, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic Acid
