This brightening toner is formulated around Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit
AstringentAristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSolvent Yellow 33
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ferulic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glucosamine Hcl, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Isopentyldiol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Maltodextrin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Solvent Yellow 33, CI 14700, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium PCA
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
PEG-12 Allyl Ether
Sodium Citrate
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, Sodium Citrate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Parfum, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzoic Acid, Denatonium Benzoate, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPEG-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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