This brightening serum is formulated around Tranexamic Acid and Squalane to fade the look of dark spots and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Arbutin and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Camphor
Masking
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
EmollientPropyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Carnosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Camphor, Diisopropyl Adipate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Parfum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Propylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate, Propyl Gallate, Cetyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Sodium Chloride, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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
Caprylyl 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 GlycolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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
