What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, 4-Butylresorcinol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate
UV AbsorberEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Astragalus Gummifer Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, CI 19140, Silica, Astragalus Gummifer Gum, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
