This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium DNA and Astaxanthin to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silk Powder
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Mica, Talc, Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Zinc Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Silk Powder, Phenyl Trimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Carnosine, Aluminum Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Methicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin Protecting
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trideceth-10
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Aroma
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sodium DNA, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Astaxanthin, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Cyanocobalamin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trideceth-10, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Aroma, CI 17200
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
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about Dimethicone
