What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningKojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Oryzanol, Kojic Dipalmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sclerotium Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Glycolipids
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there.
It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize.
Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause.
The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate.
These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period.
A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days.
And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo.
There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too.
Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%.
AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5).
Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 Gum
