This brightening ampoule is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Niacinamide to fade the look of dark spots and calm redness.
This brightening essence is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCeteareth-20
CleansingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Stellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantMenadione
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citronellol
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Squalane, Niacinamide, Water, Methylpropanediol, Ceteareth-20, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Stellaria Media Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Bisabolol, Tranexamic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Melatonin, Adenosine, Madecassoside, Rice Ferment Filtrate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Thioctic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ferulic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butylene Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Raffinose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lecithin, Decyl Glucoside, Beta-Glucan, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ceramide NP, Zinc PCA, Retinyl Palmitate, Riboflavin, Menadione, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citronellol
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Serine
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-8, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Parfum, Tocopherol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Allantoin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Serine, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidAscorbic 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 AcidAscorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there.
It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize.
Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause.
The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate.
These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period.
A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days.
And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo.
There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too.
Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%.
AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5).
Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C.
This ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
It helps with dark spot fading by interfering with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. Like other forms of vitamin C, this ingredient encourages the skin to create more collagen.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when combined with acetyl zingerone.
Learn more about Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateButylene 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 EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol 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
