What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Parfum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Triheptanoin, Sodium Citrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Sunflowerseedate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate
EmulsifyingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Diglycerin, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Cellulose, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Kojic Dipalmitate, Lactic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Sunflowerseedate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Laureth-12, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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
