This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbyl Palmitate to brighten dull-looking skin.
This anti-aging essence is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingIron Oxides
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Algin
MaskingGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Calcium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingResveratrol
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Distarch Phosphate, Propanediol, Oleic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Olivate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Benzoate, Decyl Glucoside, Linoleic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Bisabolol, Lauryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Iron Oxides, Anhydroxylitol, Algin, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bentonite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caffeine, Mica, CI 77163, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Resveratrol, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Betaine
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Lactate
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
SurfactantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Fructan
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Desamido Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Nonoxynol-14
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone, Arginine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Ammonium Lactate, Urea, Parfum, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-23, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Fructan, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Desamido Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-6, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Raspberry Ketone, Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Nonoxynol-14, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Astaxanthin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
