What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Citrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingGlutathione
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Isopentyldiol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycerin, Arbutin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Glutathione, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ferulic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinal, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Disodium EDTA, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArbutin
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingColloidal Platinum
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Arbutin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Colloidal Platinum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arbutin is a naturally occurring molecule (found in bearberry, cranberry, and blueberry) that is used in skincare as a gentle brightening agent to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Chemically, it is a sugar-bound form of hydroquinone.
It works mainly by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme your skin uses to make melanin. This means less new pigment gets produced over time.
There are two forms you'll see on labels: beta-arbutin (listed as just "Arbutin") and alpha-arbutin (the more stable and effective of the two).
The evidence behind this is solid: it's less cytotoxic to melanocytes than hydroquinone and comparably effective with kojic acid for hyperpigmentation.
One human study using a 10% solution reduced UVR-induced hyperpigmentation by 43.5% (jumping to 63.3% when paired with aloesin).
More recent clinical work backs it up too; a 2025 study on a 5% alpha-arbutin + 2% kojic acid cream found it comparable to triple combination prescription formulas but with lower recurrence for melasma.
Typical usage in cosmetics serums land in the 1-2% range.
It's a well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-photoreactive ingredient that also gives some antioxidant benefits too.
Learn more about 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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
