What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Squalane, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Hyaluronic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Water
Reviews
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-ArbutinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
