This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This acne exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Maris Aqua
HumectantPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Disodium EDTA
Methylpropanediol
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phormidium Persicinum Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Fructose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ectoin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Maris Aqua, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Lecithin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Methylpropanediol, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phormidium Persicinum Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Fructose, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phytosterols, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
