This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening ampoule is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingAcacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPolydextrose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Collagen Amino Acids, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ferulic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polydextrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucosylrutin
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylcellulose
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Methylpropanediol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ferulic Acid, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Glucosylrutin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylcellulose, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Beta-Glucan, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Ubiquinone, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Isostearyl Alcohol, C12-16 Alcohols, Caffeine, Aroma, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
