What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantThioctic Acid
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tranexamic Acid, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Glutathione, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ubiquinone, Thioctic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearoyl Inulin
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlutathione
Disodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearoyl Inulin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Water, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glutathione, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyanocobalamin, Limonene, Linalool
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. 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 AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is used in skincare as a delivery system.
It works by "encapsulating" active ingredients with its unique ring shape that is water-loving on the outside and oil-loving on the inside. This improves the stability and absorption of the product into the skin.
According to a manufacturer, it also offer some moisturizing effects.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTocopherol (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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Water