This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Tranexamic Acid and Tocopherol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening moisturizer is formulated around 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEDTA
ChelatingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Tranexamic Acid, Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipropylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
ChelatingErythritol
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Geraniol
Perfuming
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingFructose
Humectant
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Triethylhexanoin, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Trehalose, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Sorbitan Tristearate, Trisodium EDTA, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Linalool, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Geraniol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Limonene, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Fructose, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, CI 77491, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Benzoic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
