What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBisabolol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytonadione
Lecithin
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Squalane, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bakuchiol, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Caffeine, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Bacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Silica, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phospholipids, Phytonadione, Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Mica, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventKojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylamide
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tranexamic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Kojic Dipalmitate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Laureth-7, Alcohol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTranexamic 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
