What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 8%
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract 6%
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin 3%
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid 2%
AstringentDiglycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantP-Anisic Acid
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWater, Niacinamide 8%, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract 6%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alpha-Arbutin 3%, Tranexamic Acid 2%, Diglycerin, Dimethicone, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylamide, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Chlorphenesin, Polyglutamic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, P-Anisic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentAnhydroxylitol
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Anhydroxylitol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Dimethicone, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 60, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Caramel, Chlorphenesin, Xylitol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Troxerutin, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
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
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinTranexamic 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