What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Glutathione
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Dextrin
AbsorbentButylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Camellia Seed Oil
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Carrot Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Adenosine, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract, Limonene, Dextrin, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Arginine, Methyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Alcohol Denat., Hydrolyzed Carrot Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Beta-Carotene
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 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 AcidPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
