This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Panthenol to fade the look of dark spots and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCorn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Yeast Beta-Glucan, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, CI 16255, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingZea Mays Kernel Extract
Betaine
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantFructan
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlutathione
Tocopherol
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Betaine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Fructan, Glucose, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pentapeptide-3, Tripeptide-1
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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