What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sd Alcohol 40
Astringent
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Antioxidant
Niacinamide Riboside Chloride
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Apocynin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 52015
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sd Alcohol 40, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Glycerin, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Niacinamide Riboside Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Apocynin, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Thioctic Acid, Glutathione, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 52015, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lecithin, Resveratrol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Carnitine
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate
EmollientUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lycopene
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Catalase
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-77
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carnosine, Carnitine, Niacinamide, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Ferulic Acid, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phloretin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Glutathione, Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate, Ubiquinone, Resveratrol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lycopene, Thioctic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Sh-Oligopeptide-77, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathionePhenoxyethanol 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.
Resveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:
Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.
Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.
Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.
Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.
A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative:
While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.
However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.
Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.
Learn more about ResveratrolThioctic Acid is an enzyme and antioxidant. A more common name for this is Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Alpha Lipoic Acid can be naturally found in the mitochondria of every cell.
Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. The antioxidants in Alpha Lipoic Acid have been shown to fight damage from cigarette smoke.
Studies also show Alpha Lipoic Acid plays a role in wound healing.
Thioctic Acid will break down when exposed to sunlight.
Many foods contain thioctic acid, including tomato, brussel sprouts, spinach, and broccoli.
Learn more about Thioctic AcidWater. 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
