What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Morus Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, Glutathione, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Morus Nigra Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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
