This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Acetyl Glucosamine 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 ConditioningAscorbic Acid 23%
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Glycerin
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Artocarpus Lakoocha Wood Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Ascorbic Acid, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethoxydiglycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glutathione, Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Artocarpus Lakoocha Wood Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fullerenes, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Ceteareth-20, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidDisodium 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 EDTAWater. 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
