What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArisaema Amurense Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingTranexamic Acid
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSerum Albumin
HumectantSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingFibronectin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Arbutin
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Linolenic Acid
CleansingLinoleic Acid
CleansingMalic Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Arisaema Amurense Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Alpha-Arbutin, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Glycoproteins, Soluble Collagen, Lecithin, Serum Albumin, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lactic Acid, Fibronectin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid, 4-Butylresorcinol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Malic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantKojic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Azelaic Acid
BufferingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingResveratrol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Alpha-Arbutin, Propylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Azelaic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Niacinamide, Resveratrol, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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-ArbutinEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glutathione 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 GlutathioneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water