What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHydrangea Arborescens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingScutellaria Lateriflora Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-75 Stearate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alpha-Arbutin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Kojic Acid, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydrangea Arborescens Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Scutellaria Lateriflora Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-75 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol
Arbutin 4%
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Steareth-21
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Alcohol
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Arbutin 4%, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Steareth-2, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Steareth-21, Stearyl Alcohol, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Allantoin, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
