What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Arisaema Amurense Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantWater, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Arisaema Amurense Extract, Sodium Lactate, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Betaine, Tripeptide-1, Glutathione, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Gluconate, Cetyl Alcohol, Heptyl Glucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, 4-Butylresorcinol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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 made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
