What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantBisabolol
Masking
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Schinus Terebinthifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Malonic Acid
BufferingVanillin
Masking
Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ascorbic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Glycolic Acid, Water, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Schinus Terebinthifolia Leaf Extract, Parfum, Silica, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Plankton Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Malonic Acid, Vanillin
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glutathione
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
N-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Lycopodium Clavatum Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pyridoxine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Folic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Hesperidin
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-14 Alketh-12, Bisabolol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Water, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glutathione, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Adenosine, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Ferulic Acid, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, N-Butyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Glyceryl Stearates, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Thioctic Acid, Lycopodium Clavatum Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Pyridoxine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Ubiquinone, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Linoleic Acid, Hesperidin, Ergothioneine, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. By fighting free-radicals, ferulic acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
When used with Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid has shown to prevent Vitamin C from breaking down. In other words, it acts as a stabilizer.
Ferulic Acid is sometimes used to preserve food. Foods containing Ferulic Acid include: oats, rice, eggplant, citrus.
In medicine, Ferulic Acid is being studied for helping with diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
