This brightening essence is formulated around Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate and Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Coreanus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Palmate
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rubus Coreanus Fruit Extract, Sea Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Palmate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Retinyl Palmitate, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Arginine, CI 77220, Dextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 23%
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineDextrin is a starch-derived polysaccharide. It's made by partially breaking down corn, potato, or other plant starches.
Think of it as "half-processed" starch; it's less complex than the original but not fully broken down into sugar like maltodextrin.
In cosmetics, it mainly functions as a bulking agent, viscosity controller, binder, and absorbent. It helps thicken products, stabilize powders, and get certain textures a less "wet" feel.
This ingredient has a pretty solid safety profile; it's recognized as a safe food additive and its large molecular size means it doesn't meaningfully penetrate skin.
Human repeat insult patch tests using a rinse-off facial product containing 42.69% dextrin found no skin irritation or sensitization in 54 subjects.
Typical real-world usage is much lower: usually under 1% as a texture modifier and up to 40% in masks (rinse off products use less).
Learn more about DextrinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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