This brightening serum is formulated around Acetyl Glucosamine and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Alpha-Arbutin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 13%
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingGlutathione
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentSqualane
Emollient
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Ascorbic Acid 13%, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Adenosine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Squalane, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineButylene 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 GlycolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
