This calming serum is formulated around Oenothera Biennis Oil and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract to brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-15
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-51, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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