What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydroquinone 4%
Stabilising
Kojic Acid 4%
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid 3%
Buffering
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-75 Stearate
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyurethane-39
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid 0.09%
Masking
Sorbic Acid 0.09%
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroquinone 4%, Kojic Acid 4%, Azelaic Acid 3%, Resveratrol, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, C13-15 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-75 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Polyurethane-39, Stearyl Behenate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Bisulfite, Benzoic Acid 0.09%, Sorbic Acid 0.09%, BHT, Propanediol
Hydroquinone 12%
Stabilising
Niacinamide 2%
Smoothing
Hydrocortisone 1%
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Bisulfate
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Bis-Vinyldimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Ceteth-20
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-75 Stearate
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
EmollientSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Steareth-20
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydroquinone 12%, Niacinamide 2%, Hydrocortisone 1%, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Bisulfate, BHT, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bis-Vinyldimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isododecane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Laureth-12, Lecithin, Ozokerite, PEG-75 Stearate, Petrolatum, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Silica Silylate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sorbic Acid, Steareth-20, Titanium Dioxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.
It works by decreasing the melanocytes in your skin. Melanocytes are cells that create melanin (the color pigment in skin).
Be sure to use this ingredient as prescribed by your doctor. Wearing sunscreen is also a must (you should be wearing sunscreen anyway!).
Most hydroquinone prescriptions are not to be used for longer than 3 months. Long term usage can cause ochronosis, or a condition in which the skin darkens more than before.
This ingredient is banned in the EU for being skin sensitizer. In the US, this ingredient is not allowed for over-the-counter sale.
However, it is still possible to get hydroquinone in the EU, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan from a doctor's prescription.
There is no known research backing this ingredient to be carcinogenic in humans.
Check out the European alternative to hydroquinone here.
Gentle reminder that all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HydroquinoneIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePEG-75 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic Acid
