This calming serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide to calm redness and clear breakouts.
This brightening serum is formulated around 4-Butylresorcinol and Retinol 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
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polymethyl Methacrylate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Niacin
SmoothingUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingBHA
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Triisopropanolamine
BufferingHydrochloric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Water, Propylene Glycol, Lecithin, Alcohol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 4-Butylresorcinol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Retinol, Azelaic Acid, Niacin, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Morus Alba Root Extract, Diacetyl Boldine, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Sodium Cholate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, BHA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triisopropanolamine, Hydrochloric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Limonene, Isoeugenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene 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
