What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%
Antioxidant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Octyldodeceth-16, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coptis Japonica Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, 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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
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 AcidButylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Coptis Japonica Extract yet.
Dextrin 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 DextrinEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamideSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
This ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractTocopheryl 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. Remember to 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
