What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Betaine
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tranexamic Acid, Betaine, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, 4-Butylresorcinol, Ferulic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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-ArbutinPropanediol 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
