This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Hexylresorcinol to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycogen
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 20, Glycogen, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Linoleic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Citrus Limon Fruit Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientDisodium EDTA
ChelatingTriethanolamine
BufferingCitrus Limon Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-8, Isododecane, Water, Polysilicone-11, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hexylresorcinol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
