This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Ascorbic Acid 10%
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 3%
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate 2%
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentTocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ascorbic Acid 10%, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Alcohol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 3%, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate 2%, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Allantoin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Squalane, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tocotrienols, Gluconolactone, Fructooligosaccharides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Alcohol Denat., Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
