This brightening serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylsilanol Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ormenis Multicaulis Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Methylsilanol Ascorbate, Xanthan Gum, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Salicylic Acid, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene 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
