What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactoferrin
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Acetylhydroxyprolyl Dipeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Dipeptide-51
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylserine
Emulsion StabilisingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tranexamic Acid, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Silybum Marianum 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, Phosphatidylserine, 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, CI 77891
Hydroquinone 4%
StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentC10-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSmilax Aristolochiifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantStachys Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroquinone 4%, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beta-Glucan, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, C10-16 Alcohols, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Smilax Aristolochiifolia Root Extract, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Stachys Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water