What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Bellerica Fruit
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Kojic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Terminalia Bellerica Fruit, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Algin, Sclerotium Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Kojic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Azelaic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bisulfite, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol
Reviews
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-ArbutinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractKojic Acid is a naturally occurring organic acid that is produced during the fermentation of certain fungi. It is one of the most well-studied brightening ingredients (tyrosinase inhibitors) out there.
That's why you'll see Kojic Acid in products that target dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and general uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with other brightening actives like Alpha Arbutin, Glycolic Acid, and Vitamin C derivatives.
By latching onto the copper that the enzyme tyrosinase needs to function, Kojic Acid prevents less pigment from being made. It's so well-established that researchers regularly use it as the go-to benchmark when testing new brightening ingredients.
Some other perks include documented antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Expert Panel concluded Kojic Acid is safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1% and the EU's SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) considers it safe as a skin lightening agent at concentrations up to 0.7%.
One thing to know about Kojic Acid is that stability is its weak spot; it is sensitive to light, heat, and air exposure and will oxidize/turn brown in formulations. Its derivative, Kojic Dipalmitate, was developed as a stable alternative.
Some individuals have reported contact sensitization so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or sensitive skin.
Fun fact: It was first discovered in 1907 and naturally occurs in the production of sake, soy sauce, and miso.
Learn more about Kojic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumWater. 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
