What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBehenyl Behenate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Alpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEmbelia Concinna Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Behenate, Magnesium Sulfate, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Glycerin, Zinc Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAzelaic Acid
BufferingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingKojic Acid
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Kojic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinGlycerin (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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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