What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 13%
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Glutathione
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentSqualane
Emollient
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Ascorbic Acid 13%, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Adenosine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Squalane, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 13%
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ilex Rotunda Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Ellagic Acid
Skin ConditioningQuercetin
Antioxidant
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Xanthophylls
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Gallic Acid
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPicea Abies Extract
Skin ConditioningQuercus Acutissima Extract
AntimicrobialOligopeptide-33
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Alba Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ascorbic Acid 13%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 2,3-Butanediol, Diethyl Sebacate, Propylene Carbonate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ilex Rotunda Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycerin, Gold, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Madecassoside, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Caffeine, Allantoin, Ubiquinone, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Fullerenes, Ferulic Acid, Xanthophylls, Resveratrol, Glutathione, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Gallic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Picea Abies Extract, Quercus Acutissima Extract, Oligopeptide-33, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Twig Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Pvp, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathionePanthenol 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 is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
