What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Polyphenols
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Water, Sorbitol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Phospholipids, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingLactic Acid
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Salicylic Acid, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Ceramide AP, Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidSodium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water