This brightening treatment is formulated around Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tranexamic Acid, Kojic Dipalmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Phosphate
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.
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 preservatives
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
