This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Ectoin to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Creatine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Betaine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Punica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract, Ectoin, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Creatine, Trehalose, Sodium Lactate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PCA, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Ferulic Acid, Maltodextrin, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Glutamic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Proline, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-100
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide NP, Folic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Triheptanoin, Swertia Chirata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-100, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acetyl Glutamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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 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
