This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Citrofortunella Microcarpa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Tenuiflorum Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Versicolor Extract
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyldimethicone
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citrofortunella Microcarpa Fruit Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Tenuiflorum Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Yeast Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyldimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingSimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Olivate, Water, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Malt Extract, Simethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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