This brightening eye moisturizer is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Ferulic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Extract
AstringentFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Sus Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingOxido Reductases
Skin ConditioningElastin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ursolic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Pisum Sativum Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Sus Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Oxido Reductases, Elastin, Alpha-Arbutin, Ursolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is a brightening active used to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks. Structurally, it is a hydroquinone with a sugar molecule attached (but is much gentler than raw hydroquinone).
It has a pretty elegant way of working; it slots into tyrosinase, or the key enzyme that your skin uses to make melanin), and competitively blocks it so your skin produces less pigment over time.
There are two forms of arbutin and alpha is the better one to reach for: it works at lower amounts, absorbs into skin more easily, and has a strong safety record.
The science backs this up too: lab and animal studies confirm it lowers melanin by blocking tyosinase and the more you use (up to a point), the more it works.
Human studies look good too.
A 2024 trial found a cream with 5% alpha-arbutin and 2% kojic acid worked about as well as a prescription melasma cream but with fewer side effects. Another study showed 2% alpha-arbutin paired with 10% Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Glucoside and sunscreen faded dark spots and melasma without causing irritation.
Concentration-wise, most serums land in the 1-2% range.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded that alpha-arbutin is safe in face creams up to 2% and body lotions up to 0.5%.
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-irritation brightener that's a great pick for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with vitamin C, niacinamide, and sunscreen.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinCitric 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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric Acid
