This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and balance excess oil.
This calming ampoule is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots.
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
Gardenia 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 ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Azelamide Mea
SurfactantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Azelaic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Disodium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Maltodextrin, Azelamide Mea, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBiosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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 PropanediolSodium 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
