What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 15%
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantVinegar
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTriticum Aestivum Seed Extract
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantPerilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingInulin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantThiamine Hcl
MaskingPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMenadione
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantInositol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-5 Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 15%, Lactobacillus Ferment, Water, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Vinegar, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Triticum Aestivum Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Fructooligosaccharides, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Niacinamide, Inulin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Biotin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Menadione, Cyanocobalamin, Riboflavin, Inositol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 Propanediol