What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentLinalool
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMannitol
HumectantPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, PEG-8, Zea Mays Starch, Linalool, Carbomer, Glycolic Acid, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Limonene, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 16035
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract 90%
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 5%
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialArbutin
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantGlutathione
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Benzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingCitrus Junos Peel Oil
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract 90%, Niacinamide 5%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Glutathione, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Cyanocobalamin, Menadione, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Arginine, Adenosine, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Linalool, 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.
Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there.
It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize.
Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause.
The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate.
These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period.
A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days.
And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo.
There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too.
Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%.
AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5).
Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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