What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether
Emulsifying4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Papain
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDecapeptide-12
Bleaching
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Octadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Succinic Acid
BufferingTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Hexylresorcinol, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hexapeptide-2, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Superoxide Dismutase, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Lactobionic Acid, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Glutathione, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether, 4-Butylresorcinol, Papain, Niacinamide, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Decapeptide-12, Tetrapeptide-30, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Nonapeptide-1, Succinic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cyclodextrin, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Sodium Sulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Urea, Carnosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Resveratrol, Astaxanthin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Palmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Superoxide Dismutase, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isohexadecane, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Retinal, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol is an antioxidant.
EUK-134 is known for its ability to mimic SOD and catalase, two potent antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our cells from oxidative damage and premature aging.
According to a manufacturer and studies from Estee Lauder, EUK-134 protects the skin against UV induced DNA damage, reduces redness, and protects skin against toxic compounds.
Like SOD, EUK-134 specifically targets superoxide anions and pro-oxidant molecules.
EUK-134 is able to transform ROS (reactive oxygen species) into water and oxygen while destroying hydrogen peroxide.
Our cells create ROS as a byproduct of every day cell activity. Studies show overproduction of ROS is linked to inflammation and aging.
Why is there hydrogen peroxide in our cells? Our bodies produce hydrogen peroxide as a natural defense against superoxide.
Superoxide is a reactive form of oxygen ion that damages our cells. It is toxic in high concentrations, hence why our bodies produce hydrogen peroxide to protect itself.
However, this hydrogen peroxide is a double-edged sword. While it protects us against superoxide, hydrogen peroxide is corrosive on skin. It is also linked to the aging process.
This is where EUK-134 comes in: it can neutralize superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, making it a great anti-aging ingredient.
Learn more about Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese ChlorideGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether yet.
Superoxide Dismutase is found in all living cells. This ingredient is AKA as 'SOD'.
SOD is a strong antioxidant. It protects living cells against oxidative damage by breaking down radical molecules into regular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules that may damage your skin's DNA. This may help with the signs of aging. Due to its antioxidant property, it is used to help treat chronic inflammation.
In cosmetics, SOD is usually obtained from marine phytoplankton, bovine liver, horseradish, cantaloupe, and certain bacteria.
The three major families of SOD include: Copper/Zinc, Iron/Manganese, and Nickel.
When eating SOD-rich foods, our bodies break it down into amino acids before absorption. Foods that contain SOD include: melons, citrus, spinach, broccoli, kale, almonds, sunflower seeds, and blue-green algae.
Learn more about Superoxide DismutaseTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
