Esfolio Vitamin Brightening Ampoule Versus Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer
This brightening ampoule is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This barrier-repair day moisturizer is formulated around Butyrospermum Parkii Butter and Squalane to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Betaine, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carbomer, Arginine, Trehalose, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Faex Extract, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
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 CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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