What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Homosalate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, CI 77891, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tromethamine, Chlorphenesin, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Laurate
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Resveratrol, Lecithin, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
