What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningCholeth-24
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Water, Choleth-24, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhytic Acid
Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingBenzoic Acid
Masking
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Benzoic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
