What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glutathione
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Resveratrol, Caprylyl Glycol, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Sh-Polypeptide-9
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Glucoside, Methyl Gluceth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol
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
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAlpha-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 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 EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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 Water
