This calming serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Panthenol to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening treatment is formulated around Tranexamic Acid and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Xylose
HumectantMalachite Extract
Antioxidant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Xylose, Malachite Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Beta-Glucan, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tranexamic Acid, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Behenate, Magnesium Sulfate, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Glycerin, Zinc Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic 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
