This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Zingerone
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialResveratrol
AntioxidantGenistein
Skin ConditioningQuercetin
AntioxidantSilybin
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Zingerone, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Genistein, Quercetin, Silybin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Limon Fruit Water
MaskingPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, C12-14 Alketh-12, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Betaine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Folic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Ferulic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Coptis Japonica Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tromethamine, 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 EDTAFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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