This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Panax Ginseng Root Extract and 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactoferrin
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Acetylhydroxyprolyl Dipeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Pentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Dipeptide-51
Skin Conditioning
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tranexamic Acid, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Lactoferrin, Plankton Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Pentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Acetylhydroxyprolyl Dipeptide-12, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Pentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Dipeptide-51, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Phospholipids, Fructose, Betaine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Leaf
MaskingAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Pyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningOleoyl Potentilla Erecta Root Catechins
Antioxidant
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Diglycerin
Humectant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Surfactant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract, Caffeine, Betaine, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Leaf, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Oleoyl Potentilla Erecta Root Catechins, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Diglycerin, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Triethylhexanoin, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Silica, Talc, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, Water, Tocopherol, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Succinoglycan
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Pancratium Maritimum Extract yet.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
