What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentNiacinamide
SmoothingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Methylpropanediol
SolventMethicone
EmollientPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingOsmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Methicone, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Glutathione, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingRaspberry Ketone
MaskingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingVerbascum Thapsus Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingErgothioneine
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Nonapeptide-1, Bisabolol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Trisiloxane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Verbascum Thapsus Extract, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide As, Carnosine, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Ectoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ergothioneine, Potassium Sorbate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Phenylethyl Resorcinol (PR) is a synthetic antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor. This ingredient is found naturally in pine trees.
What is a tyrosinase inhibitor?
Tyrosinase is an enzyme that plays a key role in melanin production, which leads to skin darkening when exposed to UV light. By inhibiting this enzyme, PR can help with skin brightening and lifting dark spots.
The manufacturer states 0.5% of PR is more effective than 1% kojic acid. In 2013, a study of 80 participants found combining PR with other skin-brightening ingredients found 57% showed moderate improvement and 17% saw no change. Another study with 20 women reported a 43% reduction in uneven skin tone.
While more research is needed to fully confirm PR's efficacy, there’s no harm in trying it - especially when combined with other proven skin-brightening ingredients.
Learn more about Phenylethyl ResorcinolTranexamic 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 Water