This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Salicylic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-67
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCitral
Perfuming
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Hydrochloric Acid
BufferingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Trisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Phosphatidylcholine, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, CI 15985, Citral, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Hydrochloric Acid, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Linalool, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Soluble Proteoglycan, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethyl Citrate, Trisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
