This brightening moisturizer is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Hexapeptide-11 to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningKrameria Triandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientChloroxylenol
AntimicrobialCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexapeptide-11, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Chloroxylenol, CI 42090, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneWater. 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