What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentDimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydrosulfite
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydrosulfite, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 5%
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantTranexamic Acid 2%
AstringentGlycolic Acid 4%
BufferingGluconolactone 1%
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid 1%
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 0.5%
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Blueberry Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Broccoli Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Coconut Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Orange Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Tomato Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 0.5%
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide 5%, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid 2%, Glycolic Acid 4%, Gluconolactone 1%, Kojic Acid 1%, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Sodium Bisulfite, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Blueberry Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Broccoli Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Coconut Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Orange Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Tomato Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 0.5%
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolGlycerin 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tranexamic 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum