This brightening serum is formulated around Glutathione and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Ascorbyl Glucoside 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 ConditioningGlutathione
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-10
HumectantRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glutathione, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Panthenol, Arginine, Beta-Glucan, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglycerin-10, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-6, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Betaine, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 JuiceBetaine 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
