This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Ascorbyl Glucoside 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
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Emulsifying Wax
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Ferulic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Extract, Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-6, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Betaine, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric 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.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 Hyaluronate
