This brightening serum is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Salix Alba Bark Extract to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalivary Gland Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Potato Tuber Extract
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
CI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantPimpinella Anisum Fruit Oil
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tapioca Starch
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salivary Gland Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Glycerin, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Potato Tuber Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, CI 75810, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Thioctic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPodocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgin
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
