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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan Isostearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
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-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 GlycerinWater. 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
