What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Behenate, Magnesium Sulfate, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Glycerin, Zinc Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492
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-ArbutinThis 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 TriglycerideKojic Dipalmitate is an oil-soluble ester of Kojic Acid. It was created by bonding Kojic Acid with two Palmitic Acid chains to solve the instability of regular Kojic Acid.
This ingredient is able to stay stable across a wide pH range (~3-10) and easier to work with in formulations.
On the skin, the enzymes found in our skin cells break down this ingredient to release kojic acid where it then gets to work inhibiting melanin production. This makes it popular in products that target hyperpigmentation, dark spots, melasma, and uneven skin tone.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in concentrations between 0.4 - 4%. Research has shown it can be more effective when combined with ingredients like Acetyl Glucosamine, Alpha Arbutin, or Vitamin C.
Because Kojic Dipalmitate is lipophilic (fat-loving), it is usually incorporated into the oil phase of a formulation and functions as a mild emollient. It is also considered more gentle than kojic acid because it doesn't directly form hydrogen bonds with skin proteins in the same way,
However, be sure to patch test this ingredient if you have sensitivities to Kojic Acid or Palmitic Acid.
Due to the Palmitic Acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Kojic DipalmitatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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
