This acne serum is formulated around Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPolyglycerin-6
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventLauric Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBerberis Vulgaris Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantP-Anisic Acid
MaskingOligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial2-Aminobutanol
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningWater, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polyglycerin-6, PEG-8, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polyacrylamide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Bakuchiol, Salicylic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Methylpropanediol, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Lauric Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Laureth-7, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Oligopeptide-10, 2-Aminobutanol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bromelain, Papain
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventTranexamic Acid
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Alpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSucrose Distearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Disodium EDTA, Alpha-Arbutin, Cyanocobalamin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sucrose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf ExtractDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWater. 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