What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Arginine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Adenosine, Allantoin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Panthenol, Pyridoxine, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Versicolor Extract
EmollientFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glutathione
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Mannose
HumectantParfum
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Monascus Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Collagen Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Mannose, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Reviews
Alternatives
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
