Lumene Ajaton Nordic Ageless Radiant Youth Pressed Serum Versus Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow Beauty Serum
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCalluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyurethane-39
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Dimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Betaine, Canola Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, C12-16 Alcohols, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-39, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Ceramide EOP, Parfum, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract
HumectantEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysilicone-11
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Silica, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Juice Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Carrageenan, Maris Sal, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Parfum, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.