This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Arbutin to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Fructooligosaccharides, Alpha-Arbutin, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate
EmollientDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentCeramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arbutin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Betaine, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, Adenosine, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Ferulic Acid, Glutathione, Tranexamic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
