This anti-aging serum is formulated around Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Inonotus Obliquus Extract 70%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane 5%
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil 2%
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingInonotus Obliquus Extract 70%, Glycerin, Squalane 5%, Polyglycerin-3, Water, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil 2%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Soluble Collagen, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract
PerfumingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningQuercus Mongolica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersicaria Hydropiper Extract
Skin ConditioningLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantMagnolia Obovata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentCorydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAcetyl Methionine
Skin ConditioningTheanine
EmollientProline
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polysorbate 60, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Phosphate, Sorbitan Oleate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Quercus Mongolica Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Lysine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Proline, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene
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
We don't have a description for Acetyl Glutamine yet.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about Lecithinsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-2Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-11 is a signal protein that tells our skin to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-9 is a signal peptide that tells our body to create more blood vessels.
It is important to note, this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sodium 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