What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentEthoxydiglycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Maltitol
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Sodium Citrate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Cyclodextrin, Ethoxydiglycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Maltitol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sucrose
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Betaine, Glycerin, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sucrose, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis ingredient is an extract made from mandarin orange peels and mostly valued in skincare for two things:
Testing on the peel extract back this up too; it has shown strong antioxidant activity plus meaningful collagenase + elastase inhibition.
There's also some promising early research that suggests it may help calm sensitive and reactive skin by blocking the receptor involved in stringing/burning sensations.
Safety wise, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel looked at this extract at a 3% use level and found no phototoxicity in testing. So it's considered non-photosensitizing at typical cosmetic concentrations.
However, it is derived from citrus so people with known citrus allergies may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Citrus Reticulata Peel ExtractCyclodextrins are ring-shaped sugar molecules made from starch. It is used to stabilize, protect, and slowly release active ingredients.
This ingredient can help prevent oxidation, reduce irritation from strong actives, and make certain ingredients absorb better once applied.
Once applied to your skin, enzymes gradually break down the cyclodextrin "ring"; this releases the active ingredient in a controlled way.
Learn more about CyclodextrinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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 HyaluronateTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
This ingredient is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals and thus may reduce the signs of aging.
The high vitamin C content of Kakadu plum also helps lighten skin. Vitamin C has been shown to block the process of skin darkening that leads to hyperpigmentation.
Kakadu plums have been used by indigenous cultures as medicine to help treat colds and as an antiseptic.
Learn more about Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit ExtractWater. 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
