This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine the look of pores.
This hydrating essence is formulated around Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentapeptide-48
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Silica, Isopentyldiol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Mannitol, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsopentyldiol is a synthetic solvent, humectant, and emollient.
Humectants have the ability to attract and hold water while emollients create a thin film to prevent water from evaporating. This combination keeps your skin and hair soft and hydrated. Plus, isopentyldiol does not leave a sticky feeling behind.
As a surfactant, isopentyldiol is a hydrotrope. Hydrotropes help surfactants (cleansing agents) dissolve into water.
According to the manufacturer, using this ingredient with sorbitol boosts skin hydration and helps close cuticles of damaged hair.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about IsopentyldiolPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
