This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octanediol
Dextrin
AbsorbentWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Tranexamic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Ethoxydiglycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hexylresorcinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycerin, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citric Acid, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Behenic Acid, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Octanediol, Dextrin
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Talc
Abrasive
Isododecane
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Potentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PEG-6
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Charcoal Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone, Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Talc, Isododecane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dextrin Palmitate, Glycerin, Homosalate, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isostearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PEG-6, Tocopherol, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Polysilicone-15, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Lauryl Betaine, Zea Mays Starch, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citric Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Charcoal Extract, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Stearic 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 AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
