This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening day moisturizer is formulated around Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol and Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract to fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolyacrylate-13
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPolyisobutene
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGluconolactone
ChelatingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantLinoleic Acid
CleansingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water, Glycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Simethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Parfum, Polyacrylate-13, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Pyridoxine, Ubiquinone, Biotin, Folic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rutin, Hydroxycinnamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTapioca Starch
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberIsobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol
BleachingGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantIsoquercitrin
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
ChelatingParfum
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tapioca Starch, Distarch Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Tocopherol, Glucosylrutin, Isoquercitrin, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum
Reviews
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 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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