This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and refine the look of pores.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium DNA to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
C12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Arginine
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingPullulan
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Collagen
Moisturising
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Tannic Acid
AstringentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetyl Sh-Oligopeptide-195 Sp Lysine N6-(Succinimidopropionyl Thioethyl Dipalmitoyl Glycero Phosphate)
Sodium Phenylbutyroyl Histidiny 4-T-Butyl D-Phenylalanyl Arginyl Lysine N6-(Succinimidopropionyl Thioethyl Dipalmitoyl Glycero Phosphate)
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycereth-26, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Octyldodeceth-16, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Glutathione, C12-14 Alketh-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Ferulic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phytate, Arginine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Surfactin, Pullulan, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Collagen, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Dipeptide-15, Tannic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Cysteine, Thioctic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-1, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hexapeptide-9, Sodium Acetyl Sh-Oligopeptide-195 Sp Lysine N6-(Succinimidopropionyl Thioethyl Dipalmitoyl Glycero Phosphate), Sodium Phenylbutyroyl Histidiny 4-T-Butyl D-Phenylalanyl Arginyl Lysine N6-(Succinimidopropionyl Thioethyl Dipalmitoyl Glycero Phosphate), Cellulose Gum, Trisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Diglycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMadecassoside
Antioxidant
C12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium DNA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, PCA Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Diglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Madecassoside, C12-13 Alketh-9, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Behenyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Carbomer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
