What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentFructose
HumectantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Yeast Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Ceramide NP, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Sphingolipids, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Tranexamic Acid, Fructose, Aminomethyl Propanol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phosphatidylcholine, Phytosterols, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Soy Amino Acids, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 5%
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantTranexamic Acid 2%
AstringentGlycolic Acid 4%
BufferingGluconolactone 1%
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid 1%
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 0.5%
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Blueberry Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Broccoli Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Coconut Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Orange Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Tomato Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 0.5%
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide 5%, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid 2%, Glycolic Acid 4%, Gluconolactone 1%, Kojic Acid 1%, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Sodium Bisulfite, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Blueberry Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Broccoli Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Coconut Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Orange Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Tomato Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 0.5%
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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