What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingNonapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Nonapeptide-9, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Alpha-Arbutin, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Glutathione, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water