What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPhloretin
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantLycopene
AntioxidantXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Phloretin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferulic Acid, Glutathione, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Glycerin, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Astaxanthin, Tocotrienols, Thioctic Acid, Tocopherol, Lycopene, Xanthophylls, Beta-Carotene, Superoxide Dismutase
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTeprenone
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSyringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientHoney
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhenyl T-Butylnitrone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlutathione
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantTetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantTetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBenzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantDextran
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAcetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Glycolate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caffeine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Teprenone, Phospholipids, Hyaluronic Acid, Syringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Sphingolipids, Astaxanthin, Bisabolol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Honey, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ceramide NP, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone, Tocopherol, Glutathione, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Ergothioneine, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sorbitan Olivate, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica, Dextran, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 80, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Glycolate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, O-Cymen-5-Ol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Astaxanthin is a carotene pigment and red pigment. It is a promising antioxidant with a ton of skin benefits.
This antioxidant has great anti-aging benefits by blocking the following:
Astaxanthin is also great at soothing skin due to its ability to block molecules that signal inflammation. It is currently being studied for preventing chronic inflammatory diseases.
Plus, a study from 2012 found Astaxanthin in liposomes protected mouse skin from UV-damage.
Fun fact: Astaxanthin is responsible for giving salmon a pink color.
Learn more about AstaxanthinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glutathione 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 GlutathioneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about Tocopherol