This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Saccharide Isomerate and Hydrogenated Lecithin to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Glutathione and Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMaris Aqua
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentLinalool
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingManganese Sulfate
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Maris Aqua, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Geraniol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Manganese Sulfate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Zinc Sulfate, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlutathione
Ascorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantPotassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingResveratrol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Butylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Glutathione, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Resveratrol, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citral, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol
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
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 PropanediolWater. 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