This brightening serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Panax Ginseng Root Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyruvic Acid
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Algae Extract
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Lactic Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyruvic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Squalane, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Menthol, Lecithin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Plankton Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15510
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLinalool
Perfuming
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Linalool, T-Butyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Denatonium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
