What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingNiacinamide
SmoothingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arbutin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 AcidDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum