This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Gluconolactone to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica Extract to calm redness and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningElettaria Cardamomum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinal
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Panthenol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyanocobalamin, Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Tocopherol, Retinal, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingIsododecane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlucose
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMadecassoside
AntioxidantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Isododecane, Caprylyl Methicone, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glucose, Gluconolactone, Ceramide NP, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Maltodextrin, Madecassoside, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
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
Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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