What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantOzothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoral Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Coral Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide 3%
Smoothing
Alpha-Arbutin 2%
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Reviews
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-ArbutinEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium 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
