This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Panthenol to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Hexylresorcinol to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 10%
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSarcosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSerine
MaskingArginine
MaskingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide 10%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Glycosyl Trehalose, Troxerutin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sarcosine, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Serine, Arginine, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMyristica Fragrans Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glycol Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Polysorbate 60, Myristica Fragrans Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylresorcinol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTANiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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