What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Antioxidant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPvp
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Manganese PCA
HumectantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCamphor
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Pvp, Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Ferulate, Tocopherol, Ferulic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Camphor, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
Antioxidant
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Phytic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-8, Methylpropanediol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic 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 AcidAscorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate is a form of Vitamin C. It is created by mixing Ascorbic Acid (pure Vitamin C) and pectin.
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help your body fight free-radical molecules. These molecules are unstable and may cause damage to your cells. Antioxidants help stabilize them. Due to this, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate may slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkle formation.
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate is considered stable.
In products, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate can also help enhance the texture.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl Methylsilanol PectinateAscorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 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
