What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Amylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Salicylic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Glycerin, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Mandelic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid
