What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Extract
Skin Conditioning1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid
Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-6
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-8 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHedta
AbsorbentPolyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Paraben
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ceramide Ns, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Silk Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-6, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-8 Castor Oil, Hedta, Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Paraben, Water
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTrisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingEtidronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingLemongrass Oil
Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Trisodium Ascorbyl Palmitate Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Tripropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosterols, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Etidronic Acid, Water, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water