This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Lactic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Hexylresorcinol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingLactic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTranexamic Acid
AstringentBisabolol
AntioxidantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantGlabridin
BleachingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tranexamic Acid, Bisabolol, Hexylresorcinol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propyl Gallate, Pentylene Glycol, 4-Butylresorcinol, Glabridin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantArginine PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alpha-Arbutin, Arginine PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ceramide Ng, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric 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.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolAnother popular name for this ingredient is Synovea HR. This ingredient is a skin lightener and antioxidant.
Like other skin lighteners, it blocks the process of skin darkening. Specifically, this ingredient blocks tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for darkening skin when exposed to UV.
Hexylresorcinol works well with other ingredients. Studies show this ingredient boosts the effect of niacinamide, various forms of vitamin C, and retinoids.
Many consider this to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone. In fact, this ingredient produces the same results as hydroquinone in lower amounts.
Fun fact: This ingredient can also be found food and medicine for treating skin infections.
Gentle reminder from SkinSort: all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HexylresorcinolWater. 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