This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Oryza Sativa Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Oenothera Biennis Oil and Oryza Sativa Extract to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingOryza Sativa Seed Water
AntimicrobialAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trehalose
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isopentyldiol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Triethylhexanoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Vinyldimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Oryza Sativa Seed Water, Aspergillus Ferment, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Gluconolactone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trehalose, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Protease, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSunflower Seed Oil Glycerides
EmollientAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Pulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Aspergillus Ferment, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Gluconate, Sorbitan Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Aspergillus Ferment is created when Aspergillus fungi is fermented under controlled conditions. This is the same fungi used to make sake, miso, and soy sauce.
The fungi breaks down to produce a mix of enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds during fermentation.
One such compound is kojic acid; kojic acid is widely considered a gentler alternative to hydroquinone. You should know: the amount of kojic acid in Aspergillus Ferment will vary depending on species used and how the fermentation was done.
There's an in-vitro study from 2019 found that ceramide-like compounds from Aspergillus luchuensis helped skin cells turn on the genes related to barrier repair and moisture retention. Just keep in mind this was tested on cells in a lab and not on actual people's faces.
If you're someone who deals with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis), you might want to instinctively want to skip this ingredient.
That's understandable since it is derived from a fungus. It's worth knowing that Aspergillus and Malassezia are completely different organisms and there's no research suggesting that Aspergillus Ferment feeds or worsens malassezia overgrowth on the skin.
However, if you're actively managing fungal acne, being cautious with any new ingredient is reasonable.
Learn more about Aspergillus FermentButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinOryza Sativa Extract comes from the rice grain, Oryza sativa. Rice extract has wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Rice grains contain numerous antioxidants which may help with anti-aging, such as vitamin E. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radical molecules. Unstable free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and accelerate signs of aging.
A study from 2002 found rice to help increase the rate of wound healing. The same study found an improvement of skin barrier function in the patients after taking rice baths.
Numerous in-vitro studies have found rice water to help decrease sun damage by increasing collagen production and inhibiting the process of tyrosinase.
Long story short- tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production. Our bodies start producing melanin (AKA tanning) when exposed to UV radiation to protect against damage. Rice water is found to partially block this process.
Though more research is needed on rice's ability to help with UV protection, recent studies seem promising.
Wondering why rice is hydrating? The protein in rice have emollient properties. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in, keeping your skin moisturized.
Some rice extract may have mildly-exfoliating properties. These are mainly limited to Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran and Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Powder.
This rice was first cultivated in China over 10,000 years ago. Many cultures throughout Asia have used rice water on skin and hair for centuries.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa ExtractPropanediol 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 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