This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Salicylic Acid 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 ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Limon Fruit Water
MaskingPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingWater, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, C12-14 Alketh-12, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Betaine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Folic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Ferulic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Coptis Japonica Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-11
Dimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolyacrylamide
Toluene Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
ChelatingBHT
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Ascorbic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Poloxamer 338, Salicylic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Laureth-7, Parfum
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 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 EDTAParfum 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 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