What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Diethanolamine
BufferingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Methylpropanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Diethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ferulic Acid, Glutathione, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Hydroquinone
Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Hydroquinone, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Kojic Acid, Retinol, Alpha-Arbutin, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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-ArbutinKojic 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
