This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This calming serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder and Acetyl Glucosamine to calm redness and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide 5%
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentAcetyl Glucosamine 2%
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin 2%
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide 5%, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine 2%, Alpha-Arbutin 2%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Citrate, Madecassoside, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Arginine, Methyl Trimethicone, Allantoin, Glutathione, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Acetyl Glucosamine, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum