What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Glutathione
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Glutathione, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Chloride, Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyacrylamide
Isododecane
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Isododecane, Squalane, Alpha-Arbutin, Azelaic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutathione, Lactic Acid, Laureth-7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Propyl Gallate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 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.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidKojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient works by blocking tyrosine, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.
Kojic Acid is antifungal and often used to treat fungal infections. Additionally, it can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. This can help treat acne as well.
A similar ingredient is arbutin.
Learn more about Kojic AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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
