What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaffeine
Skin ConditioningOlive Glycerides
EmulsifyingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBHA
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-49
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tranexamic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Olive Glycerides, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Alpha-Arbutin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-12, Retinol, Micrococcus Lysate, Retinyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Retinal, Sodium Lactate, BHT, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, BHA, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-49, Oligopeptide-1
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about Retinol