This hydrating serum is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Apium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Methionine
Skin Conditioning
Theanine
EmollientProline
Skin Conditioning
Natto Gum
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Lysine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Proline, Natto Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney
Humectant
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract
Perfuming
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pvp, Propanediol, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Parfum, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Honey, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilPropanediol 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 Water
