What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveGlycol Palmitate
EmulsifyingEthyl Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCyclomethicone
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialAsparagus Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventMethyl Benzophenone
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Glycol Palmitate, Ethyl Aspartate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyclomethicone, Disiloxane, Alcohol, Asparagus Officinalis Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl Benzophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantPEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAsiaticoside
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Arbutin, PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tranexamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA
Alternatives
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 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 Water