What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientUndecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTridecane
PerfumingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAzelaic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
AstringentCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPsoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Clementina Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingHedychium Spicatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Undecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tridecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Azelaic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, CI 77891, CI 77288, CI 77007, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientChlorogenic Acids
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingLauryl Lactate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl Ester
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantBenzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Skin ProtectingArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
AntioxidantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterCoffea Arabica Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantCrocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ProtectingSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientLecithin
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCeteth-20 Phosphate
CleansingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDextran
Ricinoleth-40
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorogenic Acids, Niacinamide, Lauryl Lactate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl Ester, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Carnosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Leaf Cell Extract, Crocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Plankton Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Arginine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Polyglycerin-3, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextran, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract