This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening treatment is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Cocoglycerides
EmollientSilicon
AbrasivePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantPolysilicone-11
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSclareolide
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Phytic Acid, Cocoglycerides, Silicon, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C9-12 Alkane, Mandelic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 4-Butylresorcinol, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclareolide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantWater, Azelaic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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