This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Arbutin to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Resveratrol to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 20%
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventArbutin
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide 20%, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Arbutin, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantRhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningEuglena Gracilis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Water, Panthenol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Polydextrose, Resveratrol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Alpha-Arbutin, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Rhus Semialata Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Nonapeptide-1, Euglena Gracilis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium 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