This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This calming serum is formulated around Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney
Humectant
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract
Perfuming
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pvp, Propanediol, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Parfum, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Honey, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Angelica Pubescens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Water, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Angelica Pubescens Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ethoxydiglycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
Butylene 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract comes from Chinese licorice. This plant is native to Asia and used in Chinese traditional medicine. Chinese licorice root contains antioxidants and polysaccharides.
Antioxidants may help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Polysaccharides help moisturize the skin due to their ability to mimic our natural skin barrier.
This ingredient comes from the root of Paeonia albiflora, aka as Radix Paeoniae Alba or the Chinese peony. It has skin conditioning properties and is rich in antioxidant compounds.
Recent research shows Paeonia Albiflora root extract helps slow down glycation. Glycation is a process where sugars damage skin proteins and contribute to dullness/uneven skin tone.
In human studies, a lotion with 1% Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract led to lower melanin levels and fewer visible dark spots after two weeks of use. In vitro and ex vivo studies support its role in regulating the process of pigment production and reducing inflammation in skin cells.
Additionally, this ingredient has been shown to promote keratinocyte migration and proliferation in wound healing models.
Paeonia Albiflora root extract is water-soluble and has a low irritation profile for most skin types. Like other botanical extracts, patch testing is recommended for people who have known plant allergies or reactive skin.
Learn more about Paeonia Albiflora Root ExtractPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
