This anti-aging night moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
This oil-control moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to balance excess oil and clear breakouts.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.485%
MaskingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Stearic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.485%, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Phospholipids, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGellan Gum
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gellan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycerinSodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Sodium Anisate has antimicrobial properties.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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