This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Tocopheryl Acetate to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Ascorbic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Ferulic Acid, Squalane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysilicone-11
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Volcanic Soil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Parfum
Masking
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyisobutene
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingBHA
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingWater, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 20, Isocetyl Stearate, Volcanic Soil, Glyceryl Stearate, Isohexadecane, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Physalis Angulata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hexapeptide-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amylopectin, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Dimethiconol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, BHA, BHT, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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
