This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and balance excess oil.
This smoothing treatment is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventTripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBackhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentGlutathione
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Fructan
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Succinic Acid
BufferingArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Asiaticoside, Hedera Helix Extract, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Fructan, Zinc PCA, Glucose, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Hexylresorcinol, Squalane, Succinic Acid, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
ChelatingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycine
Buffering
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Histidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, C12-14 Alketh-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Tocopherol, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
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
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
