What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentKojic Acid
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAzelaic Acid
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientSodium Lactate
BufferingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantStomach Extract
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingWater, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Kojic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Azelaic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Betaine, Trehalose, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Phenylalanine, Pantothenic Acid, Allantoin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sodium Lactate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Stomach Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Laurate, Zea Mays Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlutathione
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycereth-26
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Kojic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glutathione, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Arginine, Tocopherol, Glycereth-26, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nonapeptide-1
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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.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineKojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient works by blocking tyrosine, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.
Kojic Acid is antifungal and often used to treat fungal infections. Additionally, it can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. This can help treat acne as well.
A similar ingredient is arbutin.
Learn more about Kojic AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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