This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Saccharide Isomerate to fade the look of dark spots and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinyl Palmitate and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Preservative
EDTA
Water, Retinyl Palmitate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Gluconolactone, Propylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Ceramide AP, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, EDTA
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 Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene 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 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 GumXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside
